Minister Calls for More Private Sector Investment in Sports as Premium Trust Bank unveil Amusan, Brume as Ambassadors

It was with fun and pageantry that one of the newest financial institutions in the country, Premium Trust bank unveiled two of Nigerians biggest athletes, Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume as their Brand Ambassadors.

Tobi Amusan in 2022 had blazed several trails culminating in winning the World Championships and creating a new World Record in the Women 100m hurdles, first for any Nigerian living or dead, while Brume has been consistent since winning a bronze medal at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo before further medals at the World Indoors, World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

Speaking at the unveiling, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, said the two athletes signpost the future of the country’s athletes.

He also called on corporate organisations and individuals not to wait until the athletes are crowned champions before associating with them, they should invest with them when they are young.

“These athletes never relent, always thrive, consistent in their performances,” the Minister said.

“Even on the big stage, they knew they had it in them and they never stop and when the time came, they showed up big time, they showed up for themselves first having done the sacrifices, gone through the discipline, because if you have talents and you don’t add discipline to it, you cannot excel.

“I want to thank Tobi for doing that job in Oregon, not just breaking the record, but breaking it twice same night. I am thanking you on behalf of this country Nigeria, we are grateful.

“Brume on her part, most telling moment for me at the Olympics in Tokyo was the moment Tobi finished fourth in her race, the only person that could comfort her is Ese, not even her coach could do that, I am happy seeing the two of them here, happy to see what they have attained so far.

“Ese came third at the Olympics, but to us, it was a Golden Bronze, thank you because when you came to the Commonwealth games, you did it again.”

Also speaking at the unveiling, the MD/CEO of the bank, Emmanuel Emefienim, said the major goal of the bank is to support growth hence the maxim ‘Together for Growth’.

According to Emefienim, they decided to associate with the two athletes to drive towards enabling the growth they put into their story.

He added: “This should serve as motivation to other athletes who dare to be different and win no matter their background, obstacles they have been through to get to where they are today.

“The two athletes’ story is just like the bank and I am happy with where we are today and we hope the partnerships bring great impact to the athletes, the sports industry and the country.”

The two athletes appreciated the bank for counting them worthy to be the Brand Ambassador and promised to maintain the standard expected of them.