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Tag: ATHLETICS

  • TASG: St Saviour’s, Grange rule athletics meet in Lagos

    TASG: St Saviour’s, Grange rule athletics meet in Lagos

    Amidst excitement and cheers from parents, guardians, and supporters at the second season of The Athletics School Games (TASG), new stars have risen, and overall winners have been crowned at the one-day meet held at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Sports Complex in Lagos.

    Sixteen schools, including eight primary and eight secondary institutions, competed in the Lagos State Athletics Association (LSAA)-sanctioned tournament, with officials from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) overseeing the event.

    The competition attracted a large crowd of parents, guardians, and school officials who turned out in full support of their teams. Despite the scorching sun, the athletes showcased their impressive skills in both track and field events.

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    At the end of the day, St. Saviour’s School, Ikoyi, and Grange School, Lagos, topped the medal table in the primary and secondary categories, respectively.

    In the primary school division, St. Saviour’s dominated the relay events, amassing 214 points to claim the top prize. Grange School followed closely in second place with 213 points, while Lagos Preparatory and Secondary School secured third place with 152 points.

    In the secondary school category, Grange School delivered a dominant performance, accumulating 655 points to claim first place. The International School Lagos (ISL) secured second place with 434 points, while Avi-Cenna International School finished third with 349 points.

    Lekan Fatodu, Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), commended the organizers for the initiative and emphasized the Commission’s continued support for TASG, noting that the event aligns with its talent discovery agenda.

    Fatodu, represented by the Commission’s Director of Sports Development, Nunayon Travih, stated: “This event provides a valuable opportunity to discover and nurture young athletes who will represent the state at the National Youth Games. The Lagos State Sports Commission is fully behind TASG because it focuses on talent development, which is a core aspect of our mission.’

     “We are pleased with the organization, and this is indeed a world-class event for the athletes. We need to continue supporting it.”

    Seun Akinbohun, the initiator of TASG, expressed satisfaction with the impressive turnout for the second season, adding the tournament is aimed at  fostering  both friendship and competition among participants.

     “This year, we have about 912 participants, nearly three times the number from our inaugural edition last year. This growth is a testament to the success of our efforts. The ultimate goal is to help the children showcase their skills and, more importantly, revive track and field in Nigeria. At one point, Nigeria was a powerhouse at the Olympics, and we’re determined to return to that level. Competitions like TASG are key to discovering and nurturing exceptional talent,” she said.

  • Dynamic Athletics Outdoor Meet holds in Lagos

    Dynamic Athletics Outdoor Meet holds in Lagos

     Olabanji Ayegbusi  who doubles as the CEO of Dynamic Athletics Media and Supports Management and Meet Director,  explained  to NationSport’s   TUNDE LIADI plans to host a spectacular Dynamic Athletics Outdoor Meet in Lagos this weekend.

    Project Strategist of the Dynamic Athletics Outdoor Meet,  Olabanji Ayegbusi, has disclosed that all logistics have been put in place for a hitch free event today at the Nigerian Navy Sports Complex, Ojo, Lagos.

    Ayegbusi who hails from Ikare Akoko in Ondo State with first degree in Philosophy from the University of Ado Ekiti (now Ekiti State University)  before studying sports management at the National Institute for Sports (NIS), said they were  prepared for  about 700 registered athletes for the competition.

    He affirmed that qualified personnel have been acquired by Dynamic Athletics Media and Sports Management in conjunction with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) top officials to ensure the first meet makes a lasting impression in the hearts of all the participating athletes and officials within the country and outside.

    The athlete coach who also got his certificate from NIS,  gave reasons for making the giant leap to have a meet in the heart of  Lagos.

    He said: “My motivation and inspiration come from the strong passion I have for  athletics. I’m the number one fan of track and field in Nigeria. My wife knows me, once it comes to Athletics, it’s a real deal for me.

    “I successfully completed two academic qualifications in sports last year, one was a two years programme in sports management (Higher Diploma) the highest sports management qualification in the Institute and the other was a certificate in Athletics coaching course which lasted 3 months, both in (NIS).

    “While I was writing my final exams in sports management, I asked  myself series of questions as to where I could add value to  the sport before the inspiration for establishing my own sports management company dropped and yet again, inspiration to organize an athletics competition  came in January, I argued with the thought.

    “I thought of money, and I thought of so many things involved in organising competitions. I thought of “What  if,” and as you know, what if is the biggest dream killer.

    “One day, I told Coach Femi Daramola of my intention to organize competition in the coming year, and the other time, I told another close friend of mine, coach David Sule. So, each time, I struggled  with the vision, either of them would see me and asked, how far with the competition. I hope it’s holding? The hope will reaffirm itself, and I would say yes, It’s holding.

    “God continued to use them and other people to remind me he has committed  something deep into my hands. That’s how I began drafting letters, reading books on events, and consulting stakeholders in sport. I called Secretary General of the AFN, and she referred me to other members of the Federation. AFN started giving me every necessary cooperation and support I needed. We thank God it’s becoming a reality.

    Ayegbusi also itemised his target for the competition and the criteria picked to guard against non-qualified athletes from taking part.

    He said: “My target is to use this competition to create a level  playing ground, fair play, and unifying ground for athletes to express their skills. Developing sporting oriented business with  media attention, and breaking new ground for sports and our company.

    Read Also: Enoh seeks sporting alliance between Nigeria, Turkey

    “By the next edition, we intend to bring star athletes to compete in our meet, I have in mind to approach star athletes like Sha’Carri Richardson to come and race in our subsequent meets. She has huge number of fans back here in Nigeria. I spoke with one of her school mate and promised to relate my intentions to her. I hope I will see her in any of these meets this year.

    “Recently we included more events because of the yearning of the athletes. Everyone wants to come and express their skills. The Meet is an open athletics competition. The advantage it has for the elite athletes are: it create an avenue for them to hit the Games standards, season’s opening mark and also to assess their preparation ahead of the African Games while the amateur athletes can use it to hit the world junior standard, assessing their preparation ahead of the National competitions and also know their season’s opening mark and personal records.

    “We have all the four throw events in this meet, long and triple jump. 60m Invitational for the elite athletes who might want to use it as a preparatory phase for the World Athletics Indoors Championships coming up on the 1st to 3rd of March this year. We have 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 100mh, 110mh, 400mh and 1500m. We are still looking forward to adding the hurdles events; 10pmh, 110mh, and the 400mh.”

    The CEO/Meet Director also stressed his challenge at securing the services of some top brands and he extolled some corporate and private firms that have extended their hands to sponsor the event partly.

    He thumbed up the significant contributions of some former athletes and coaches who have also identified themselves with the event like Chief Tony Osheku, Yusuf Ali, Deji Aliu, Victor Okorie, Peter Emelieze, Olusoji Fasuba, Andrew Ifiok and Directorate of D’ Victors who are the cash prizes sponsors for the meet.

  • Top African athletes for Dynamic Athletics Outdoor Meet

    Top African athletes for Dynamic Athletics Outdoor Meet

    Top athletes from Kenya, Niger Republic, Namibia, and Benin Republic have all registered to slug it with Nigeria’s athletes at the Dynamic Athletics Outdoor Meet scheduled for the Nigerian Navy Sports Complex, Ojo in  Lagos on January 27th .

    According to organisers, they will be up against Nigeria’s athletes such as 100m finalist at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Enoch Adegoke while fellow Olympians, Sikiru Adeyemi and Emmanuel Ojeli  as well as Fakorede Adekalu, Sunday Okon and current national 100m women national champion and Blessing Ogundiran  

    The project director, Olabanji Segun Ayegbusi , told  NationSport that   preparations was at the home stretch , adding  that  the  organising committee had worked tirelessly to ensure that they were  ready to start welcoming athletes and officials to Lagos early next week.

    He confirmed that the registration portal for athlete’  registration will  close tomorrow.

    Read Also: Olympians Adegoke, Ojeli to grace  Dynamic Athletics Outdoor Meet

    “We are already at the home stretch and  preparations are in top gear. We will be ready by next week to start welcoming athletes and the officials to Lagos for this ground-breaking athletics meet,” Ayegbusi told NationSport.”We have quite a number of big names already in the entry list: they are Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games men’s 100m finalist, Enoch Adegoke who has confirmed his participation.

    “ Two other  Olympians have also confirmed their participation; Sikiru Adeyemi and Emmanuel Ojeli.

    “We have other home-based  blazing sprinters like Fakorede Adekalu, Consider Ekanem, Audu Gafar and Sunday Okon in the entry list. These guys can shock anyone, any time.

    “In the women’s category, the current national champion in the women’s 100m, Ogundiran Blessing has confirmed her participation while we are expecting the veteran sprinter, Patience Okon-George too. Her coach spoke with us, we are waiting for her to come and do what she knows how to do best. There are about six international athletes who have registered to participate.

    Registration portal is still open till 20th of the month and we are expecting more athletes to send in their entries.

    Stating the plans by the organisers to ensure the meet becomes a constant feature on the calendar of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Ayegbusi said they are planning to hold a hitch free credible Dynamic Athletics Outdoor Meet that will ensure its continues to get the endorsement of the AFN and the sponsors who believe in the project.

    “Part of the objectives of this edition is to build the type of reputation, credibility and trust that would project the subsequent editions. Reputation and credibility are crucial to sustainability. Once these are achieved, one is on the right cause for a sustainable project.

    “We have high expectations for the meet, we want a meet where athletes can boast of their good performances, where they can express and explore their unique skills. We know these are achievable. Like I usually say, Dynamic Athletics Outdoor Meet is our collective event, we are all stakeholders in the success of this meet.”

    Ayegbusi praised the efforts of some brands who have identified with the Dynamic Athletics Outdoor Meet , assuring they would get value for their investment.

    He also tasked more sponsors to tag along to make the Dynamic Athletics Outdoor Meet a world class and he also said that they are assuring all brands that have approached them that they would not regret the trust they have repose in them.

    “Lagos is the centre of excellence, the commercial capital of the country. Lagos is rightly positioned to fulfill all dreams when one is able to take steps.

    “That being said, Sponsors are looking for reputation, trust and values for what they are putting in. One of the objectives of Dynamic Athletics Outdoor Meet 2024 is to create that reputation and drive major brands in committing to our subsequent editions.

    “Presently, we have some brands who have committed to this cause. Some icons of sport have also demonstrated their support by sponsoring cash prizes of their preferred events.

    “Families and friends have also supported in one way and another. My personal savings have been deeply rooted into this cause, it’s a matter of passion and for the love of the sport. The first motivation is intrinsic reward before any external factors.

    “I would like to use this medium, appreciating everyone who has committed one thing and the another to this cause, I sincerely thank you all.”

  • School lifts athletics fiesta trophy

    Yellow House won the third inter house sport meet of Misam schools Ajasa Ccommand Lagos held recently.

    They won a total of 43 medals: 15 gold, 15 silver and 13 bronze medals to beat Red House to second place with 11 gold, nine silver and 12 bronze; and Green House with 10 gold, seven silver and six bronze medals to third.

    Blue House came fourth with nine gold, 14 silver and 14 bronze medals.

    In some of the events decided, Tomilola Adesanmi of Yellow House won the 25 metre girls race ahead of Emmanuela Okeke Chisom of Red House and Dairo Sikemi of Yellow House; Shalom Oladele Amos of  Blue House emerged the fastest girl in the school after winning the 100 metres senior girls category. Tobi Fawi of Yellow House and Ibrahim Olaide of Green House finished second and third.

    Mojeed Faruk of Red House picked the gold in the senior boys’ 400 metres beating Blue House duo of Bolaji Shonekan and Gabriel Durodoluwa to second and third. Green House Ohamadike Chidima won the 50 Metres Junior girls race ahead of Ayomide Osho of Red House and Olufemi Nifemi of Red House. Fredrick Ogundele of Yellow House emerged winner in the 200metre Junior boys beating Ebimo Soriwe and Solomon Oga both of Blue House to second and third.

    Amos-Oladele Shalom made it a sprint double by winning the 200 and 100 metres gold. Silver went to Tolani Akinsanya  and Favour Olusegun. Emmanuel Enwerem of Yellow House grabbed gold in the 50 metres school race for primary school. Sherif Ibrahim of Red House picked silver and Dickson Popoola of Yellow House settled for bronze .

  • SEUN ADIGUN- My sweet change from athletics to bobsled

    SEUN ADIGUN- My sweet change from athletics to bobsled

    She is not only the driver but the trailblazer for the Nigeria Bobsled team that will debut at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, next February,  yet Seun Adigun has pointed at an unseen power for leading the team all the way.

    Along with her brakemen in Ngozi Onwumere and Akuoma Omeoga, the trio wrote their names in the history books by becoming the first African team of any kind to qualify for the Olympics after completing the mandatory five races.

    In an earlier interview with The Nation, Akuoma described Seun as a pathfinder, adding that she’s full of brain, brawn and beauty. “Seun was born to parents from Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria and holds the position as the driver of the current team. She is working towards completing a dual degree, a Doctorate of Chiropractic and a Master’s of Science in Sports Science.

    “Needless to say, the woman has a brain and utilises it any chance she gets. You can also note that she is the ‘brain’ behind the Nigeria Bobsled operation. Not only did she spearhead an entire federation, she used her intuitive and keen senses to recruit her teammates; Ngozi and myself.”

     Truly, Seun is the sort of persons said to ‘have brains in their head, feet in their shoes and could reasonably expect to steer towards any direction.’  A former track & field athlete that specialised in the 100metres hurdles, Seun who will be 31 on January 3, 2018 competed in several international meets including the World Championships, African Championships, as well at the 2012 London Olympic Games before founding the Nigeria Bobsled team in 2016. 

    “Building this team was honestly a project that was ordained by God,” Seun explained in an electronic mail to The Nation.“ The way the pieces of this foundation came together was something that was far more than a coincidence. While in my rookie season as a bobsled brakeman for team USA, I learned of the decreased amount of women’s teams in the sport of bobsled and the desire of the International Bobsled & Skeleton Federation to increase participants.

    “Simultaneously, I was having conversations with NOC 1st Vice President, Chief Solomon Ogba, about the desire of Nigeria as a country to have participants in the Winter Olympics, which was something that had never happened in the country.

    “Finally, I learned that the entire continent of Africa had never been represented in the sport and decided that creating this team was a necessity to the world – this was far larger than me as an individual,” she hinted.

    But qualifying for the Winter Olympics was not like a hot knife cutting through butter since the gals went through a gruelling process. According to an official press release, they trained in Utah, New Zealand, South Korea and Canada, as they learned to steer the sled down the sloppy ice tracks at a speed of 110 to 120 kilometres per hour. Their first qualifying race was in the North America Cup in Park City, Utah, where Seun and her brakeman Akuoma completed two races in January. They went on to Whistler, Canada, for their second track where Adigun and brakeman Onwumere were the only team to complete the first race as other teams crashed out of what was a very difficult track.

    Their hard work paid off in Calgary, when they completed their fourth and fifth races for a place at the 23rd Winter Olympic Games.

    “This is far beyond a dream come true;  there is nothing more special to me than being able to project a positive image of Nigeria for the world to see. This team is not only breaking barriers, but it is providing a sense of pride for all Nigerians and non-Nigerians around the world. This is very special,” the talented Seun hinted further as she shares the team’s remarkable progress with MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN. Excerpts…

    Picking my  teammates

    Ngozi was one of my former athletes when I was a coach at University of Houston. When she graduated from her programme there, we maintained contact and had annual lunches to talk about life. It was during one of these lunch meetings that I shared my idea of starting the team, and to my surprise she agreed to participate. I met Akuoma when she moved to Houston, TX, in July 2016. We shared a mutual friend who called me when she was moving to help look after her in this new city. We hung out a few times, and then I eventually shared my idea of starting team. When I asked if she would be interested in joining, she also agreed. Picking these two women to be on this journey with me was the best thing I could have done. I allowed God to lead my heart and he lead me to the most selfless, dedicated, and wholesome brakemen. I appreciate them so much and thank God for them everyday.

    Final moments in Calgary in the last qualifying race

    Honestly, all I was focusing on was execution. There were so many things going on that day that could have presented as a distraction to most, but I thank God for my ability to channel my anxiety and nerves into the desire to perform at the best of my ability. I prayed, a lot, every second! This race was completely in God’s hands because every day leading up to that point, I had given every part of my existence to making that moment of execution a reality.

    Passion and inspiration

    I have always been a very athletic individual. I have played almost every sport that there is to play – from tennis to competitive double Dutch! I had several friends who had transitioned from professional track and field to bobsled so I followed the sport in support of them. In 20145, after watching the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, I decided that I wanted to get into another Olympic sport. Basketball is my favourite sport, but I also became an avid flag football player after I retired from track & field.

    Support ahead of Winter Olympics

    The Nigerian Olympic Committee has been in support of our mission from the beginning through the hard-work of Dr . Solomon Ogba. We had the pleasure of going to Nigeria in April to also pay our respects to members of the NOC to further allow them to see that we were serious about our athletic endeavours. I am managed by Koye Sowemimo, who is the head of sports at Temple Management Company. I can honestly say that many professionals do not give enough credit to the support systems that are provided by a top tier management company like TMC. This journey could not have been possible without their support and I am grateful every day to have them on my team.

    The most I can control at this point is my personal development and the synchronising efforts of my brakemen. We have been given everything that we can to accomplish this difficult feat and we will continue to give our all towards a respectable finish in our Olympic debut.

    My  sport heroes and heroines

    My athlete hero: Lebron James – I relate to the resilience and perseverance that he exudes and I respect the man and athlete all the same. He is a legend. My athlete heroine: Jackie Joyner-Kersee – she is the definition of a true warrior woman. Her drive to athletic excellence sets the tone for what every successful woman should emulate.

    My personality traits

    I have so many unique qualities and I generally allow other people to name them for me! The genuine combination that my mind and heart make is one that cannot be explained or replicated. I can safely say that you will never meet another person like me – ever. I do not get sad and almost anything positive can make me happy. I am an avid naturalista! I use natural products for my hair and skin and minimal make-up. Anything that looks good I can turn into fashion!

    My  family and I

    My family is very tight knit. They are completely supportive of all my “crazy” endeavours – and we feed off of each other’s energy from the youngest Adigun to the Papa Adigun.

    Thoughts about 2017

    It (2017) has been far greater than anything I could envision.

    Ahead 2018 Winter Olympics

    My short-term: Drive this team to a successful finish at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games and my long-term: Grow the Bobsled & Skeleton Federation of Nigeria to include all disciplines for both men and women.

  • Lottery fund donates to Gombe schools

    Lottery fund donates to Gombe schools

    The National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF) has donated sports equipment to 54 primary schools in Gombe State. The equipment donated are for basketball, badminton, football, handball, high jump, judo, athletics and volleyball.

    The chief executive of NLTF Mr Habu Ahmed said the gesture was a follow-up to a similar one by the Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo who distributed sports equipment to 2,000 public primary schools nationwide on May 20.

    He said, “While urging you to put the equipment to good use in your schools, you must ensure the safekeeping of the equipment so that they do not get stolen, as we have already alerted security agencies to apprehend any culprit who diverts these Federal Government materials.

    “We don’t want to see any of these items in any market in Gombe State because they are not for sale. They are meant for the development of sports in the state. If you notice that the equipment is not in your school, ask your teachers: where is our sports equipment?”

    Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo who was represented by his Deputy, Charles Iliya, reinforced the warning, adding that the administration will not accept any act that will compromise the proper development of its children.

  • National Sports Federations’ re-run elections for July 12

    National Sports Federations’ re-run elections for July 12

    The re-run of elections into four National Sports Federations’ boards will now hold on July 12, the National Sports Federations Elections’ Petitions/Appeals Committee said on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Chairman of the Committee, Abdulrazak Salau, said in a statement that the affected federations were those of Athletics, Gymnastics, Wrestling and Taekwondo.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fre-run elections were earlier scheduled for this Friday, after last Friday’s conclusion of consideration of all petitions and appeals.

    Salau said the large number of petitions which trailed the June 13 elections at the Abuja National Stadium was overwhelming and his committee needed more time to attend to them.

    “We have had a lot of activities since the Appeals Committee gave its verdict on June 30.

    “The Committee has been bombarded with petitions and complaints from these Federations, including Rugby which was yet to hold its elections.

    “It has thus become necessary for us to shift the election re-run date by five days to enable the monitoring bodies, including the Election Committees, to conclude the screening and verification of candidates to ensure that what happened in the first elections does not repeat itself,’’ he said.

    The committee chairman said he and his members had been very careful to also ensure that candidates complied with the guidelines and present the right documents for verification.

    “Thereafter, the master list will be published for all to see before the bye-elections,’’ he said.

    According to Salau, fresh presidential elections are to hold in Athletics, Taekwondo, Wrestling and Gymnastics.

    He added that zonal elections would hold in Judo (South-West), Athletics (South-East and North-West) and Taekwondo (South-West).

    “All Zonal, Vice-Presidential and Presidential elections will hold in the Rugby Federation, also on July 12,’’ the committee chairman said.

    Salau, who is the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports, disclosed that the inauguration of all the Federations would now hold on July 20 at the Abuja National Stadium.

    NAN reports that the inauguration was earlier slated for July 13, before being moved to July 10.

  • Kidnapped athletics don regains freedom

    Kidnapped athletics don regains freedom

    The Kidnapped Chairman of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) doping committee, Professor Ken Anugwueje has regained his freedom after his abductors released him allegedly due to the intervention of the authorities of the University of Port Harcourt who were said to have parted with specific ransom in the early hours of Friday.

    Professor Anugwueje was kidnapped on Wednesday morning on his way to the Port Harcourt Airport from UNIPORT where he combines lecturing with being the overseer of the High Performance Centre sited in the premises of the institution for athletes within and outside Nigeria.

    A source told SportingLife that UNIPORT authorities swung into action and had to pay the ransom the abductors said they would be willing to take before allowing him go.

    Speaking on his release, a renown athletics coach, Tobias Igwe said that the High Performance Centre which was close to being a graveyard after the announcement of his abduction has returned to life and athletes were happy to return to the tracks for continuation of the build up to the next year’s Rio Olympics.

    He thanked God for sparing the life of the Professor whom he termed as God’s given talent to athletics while adding that kidnappers should desist from the act that would make the country’s image to be tarnished outside Nigeria.

  • Athletics met its target-Ogba

    Athletics met its target-Ogba

    President of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Solomon Ogba has said track and field met its target by winning 10 gold medals at the just concluded African Games in Congo Brazzaville.

    The AFN boss told SportingLife that he promised that the athletic team would do its best at the Games by doing the necessary thing to excel, stating that some never believed that the athletes could deliver 10 gold medals.

    He said Nigerian athletes should be appreciated instead of the criticism they face whenever they fail at international events. “Some athletes are gifted and with little training they become world class and are able to win medals at the Olympics and World Championship.

    “Only few Nigerians can boost of individual medals at the Olympics and must have put in a lot to achieve that. I consider them exceptional athletes with exceptional abilities,” he added.

    He noted that Nigeria has never been stronger in the short distances races at the world level and only get to win medals at the relays if it has three top athletes. “Three good athletes in the 4X100m relay race can give us medals and that is where we have excelled at the world level. Change over robbed us of a medal in 4X100m men in Congo, but we will continue to strive to make our team better,”he said.

    Ogba said the AFN would also continue to encourage it’s athletes to improve on areas it has comparative advantage and improve their performances.

    According to Ogba, Team Nigeria had done well at the just concluded Games, considering that the achievement came on away soil unlike in 2003 when we hosted the games and did well.

  • Abuja Kids Athletics Event: Kids clock sub 13 secs in 100m

    The maiden edition of  the Abuja Kids and Youth Athletics Event held at the Training Pitch of the Abuja National Stadium at the weekend produced some good results, especially in the 100m boys where kids between ages nine and 14 ran sub-13 seconds in the 100m event.

    A visibly happy initiator and chief organiser of the competition meant for boys and girls between the ages of eight and 17, Mike Enahoro, who is also a popular sports administrator and analyst, beat his chest after the event that he would produce world beaters in athletics in no distant future.

    “I am very happy with the results recorded here. You won’t believe that kids between the ages of nine and 14 years returned sub 13 and 12 seconds in 100m race. If these kids are worked on technically in less than 24 months some of them will make sub 10 seconds ion 100m”, Enahoro told SportingLife in Abuja at the weekend.

    He, however, shed more light on the reasons for organizing the event. “The Kids and Play Project is strictly my initiative. I am starting with the Kids and Youth Athletics Events that is taking place today (Saturday). This programme is mainly sponsored by me with support from the FCT Sport Council, and the National Sports Commission that gave us this training pitch for use.

    “1,111 children are participating in this competition. I am hoping there would be a diamond in the rocks here to represent Nigeria in no distant future. I hope to get kids from this event that would continue the line and supply chains of the Mary Onyalis, the Blessing Okagbares and the Metu brothers. They are here but we have to start them as early as eight years’ old.

    “It is not going to be a quick fix. We are not looking to win medals tomorrow but you can see that there is a production line of a thousand and hundred and eleven in the Federal Capital Territory alone. If we spread this out to every corner of the country we will become bigger than Jamaica that has between 300,000 to 3 million athletes. This means that Nigeria can do 15 million athletes at a stretch.

    “I am proud to be associated with this. This is me putting my time and I am asking Nigerian philanthropists to stop throwing money at anything but invest in the youths and grassroots sports. I am sure there are lots of kids in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria that have not been given the opportunity to showcase their talents, sports-wise”, he observed.

    The mother of twin brothers, Praise and Promise Njoku that also clocked 12 secs in the 100m, Dr. Mrs Clara Njoku, showered encomiums on the initiator of the competition, Mike Enahoro, for the wonderful initiative.

    “The Kids and Youth Athletics Events is wonderful and awesome. I thank God for the man that initiated this programme (Mike Enahoro). I thank God for him and I am happy that he created this opportunity for the children to come together to key into this kind of game.

    “It’s an encouragement for the younger ones in Nigeria, and at least today we can pick some children out of this lot competing here for the future Olympic Games like in 2020. When you catch them young they tend to do better than when you allow them to grow older.

    “It’s a wonderful activity and I am happy today that my children- the twins are part of this wonderful event. I am supporting these boys to become future stars and I am using this opportunity to encourage parents to encourage their wards in doing sports and support this programme”, Dr. Njoku disclosed.