The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Triathlon

  • 2019: Triathlon targets grassroots, schools

    Nigeria Triathlon Union (NTU) has finalised plans to take the sports to teeming youngsters nationwide in the new year.

    President of the Nigeria Triathlon Union (NTU), Wale Oladunjoye stated that the Union is taking triathlon to the door steps of teeming energetic youngsters in the country through their schools and clubs.

    The NTU boss noted that representatives from schools would converge at their geo-political zones and get the best of training from seasoned coaches, who are always ready to impart their knowledge to kids from both the public and private schools.

    He also said that the swimming event would take place in open waters just like it is done at international competition, assuring that venue for open water swimming have already been secured, with roads around the venue to be used for the running and biking events.

    “Our plan as a body is to take triathlon to door steps of teeming youngsters nationwide through schools/clubs at the geopolitical zones with hubs at the state capital and schools/clubs compete quarterly,” he added.

    He also assured that the Federation would organise officiating/coaching courses through International Triathlon Union/Nigeria Olympic Committee to improve delivery in these areas. He also noted that the sixth national championship would hold in April/May with all the top players expected to showcase their skills at the championship.

    To ensure that the federation gets funding for its programmes, the NTU boss said increased and improved sponsorships/partnerships would be reinvigorated.

  • Triathlon: 19 coaches get IOC certification

    Triathlon got a boost as 19 coaches successfully completed a 5-day IOC Solidarity Course, which came to an end on Wednesday at the Nigeria Olympic Committee board room.

    At the closing ceremony, the trainers – Franz Studer and Travis Campbell from South Africa – enjoined the coaches to put what they have learnt into good use and commended them for their resourcefulness during the course.

    Studer noted that the idea of the course is to enrich the coaches with fresh knowledge of triathlon assuring that the course would go a long way in helping the sports grow in Nigeria. “I must commend the coaches who took part in the solidarity course. They were very serious and I am sure the will go to their various stations and teach the young kids how to develop in the sports.”

    He also commended the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for bringing the course to Africa. “IOC has done creditably well by bringing the course to Nigeria and I hope more countries will benefit in future.”

    President of the Nigeria Triathlon Union (NTU), Prince Wale Oladunjoye also enjoined the coaches to go back to their various states and train athletes that would represent Nigeria at international competition.

    “I am excited that this course is coming at a time the NTU is seeking ways to ensure the growth and popularity of triathlon. I am sure that the coaches will discover and train young athletes who will do the country proud in future.

    “It is clear that there so many sports that the kids can chose so it is the responsibility of our coaches to sell triathlon to kids who want to put their energy into productive use. The NTU is committed to developing triathlon in the country,” Oladunjoye added.

    He also commended the South African trainers and assured that they are always welcomed in Nigeria.

    Coaches who got certificates at the end of the course are Mohammed Musa Biu, Perelati Gbagi, Abba Mustapha, Orogho Bello, Musa Garuba, Korutimi Pabor, Aniagolu Timothy, Moses Omozusi and Tilije Sunday.

    Others are Abdulmummen Mohammed, Miebaka Aggo, Tondor Joy Naghan Okoro, Badmus Titilayo, Omoleye Aboidun, Tona Deborah, Loya Barakumo, Ofonedu Modupeola and Abiodun Ojomo.

  • TRIATHLON TARGETS NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL, MORE STATES

    TRIATHLON TARGETS NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL, MORE STATES

    The Nigeria Triathlon Union (NTU) has finalised plans to take the sport to more states in a bid to participate in the next National Sports Festival (NSF) slated for March in Calabar, Cross River State.

    The president of the body, Dr. Lanre Glover told SportingLife that it was high time triathlon was taken to other parts of the country apart from Lagos, which has become a centre for the sport. He noted that the move would make triathlon more popular in the country and help build a pool of athletes who can do the country proud at international competitions.

    Glover stated that the sports would get the necessary attention if it gets the nod of the National Sports Commission (NSC) to take part in the NSF. “What we are doing at the NTU is to make the sports popular. Already we have staged duathlon as well as aquathlon. So, staging the event at the NSF will greatly enhance the popularity of the sport.”

    According to the NTU boss, the body will also intensify its partnership with schools in Lagos State to ensure that the young are taught the rudiments of the sports. He called on school heads to embrace the sports, which he described as one of the best ways to develop a complete student.

    He also said that participating at the All Africa Games in Maputo in 2011 and the African Championship have shown that the sport has the potential to grow if given the necessary backing by government, corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals. He said: “The greatest problem facing sports in the country is lack of sponsorship. Apart from football and a few other sports that enjoy some corporate backing, the situation is bad for a majority of the sports and I will use this opportunity to call on sponsors to support triathlon.”

    Glover revealed that the NTU was already talking to sponsors and would be happy if it can secure a sponsor for a yearly event.

  • Triathlon winners sad over non-payment of cash prizes

    Winners of different events at the just-ended two-day Lagos Triathlon fiesta have expressed disappointments over the failure of the Lagos State Triathlon Association (LSTA) to immediately pay their cash prizes.

    The contestants told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the end of the competition on Sunday in Lagos that the organisers ought to have paid them their cash prizes immediately.

    NAN reports that the competition, which involved cycling and running, was held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos and Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

    NAN also reports that the competition was preceded with a-five-kilometre walk at the University of Lagos on Oct. 1, to acquaint the participants with the rudiments of the competition.

    The contestants told NAN that the organisers of the competition had promised to share N300,000 to the various winners in the six events of the competition. They, however, expressed disappointment that the cash prizes were not presented to the winners at the end of the competition.

    NAN reports that each of the winners in the six events was to receive N50,000. Abraham Ekiye, a gold medallist in the male event, said that after cycling and running for a distance of 55km, he was expected to be paid a cash prize of N50,000 as promised.

    Ekiye, however, said that it would be unfair if they were not given the prizes as promised by the association, stressing that they had expended much energy in finishing the race.

    Eke Goodluck, the gold medallist in the female category, said that the failure of the organisers to settle them immediately after the competition was tantamount to fraud.

    “When you make promises and fail to fulfil them, you create room for people to doubt your ability to successfully manage competitions,’’ Goodluck said.

    Meanwhile, Sikuade Jagun, the chairman of the association, confirmed the sharing of N300,000 among the winners of the six events at the competition.

    Jagun, however, said that logistic challenges prevented them from disbursing the money immediately after the competition, promising that the prizes would be paid when the association has the cash backing.

    “We will make all necessary arrangements to ensure that the athletes get their money. We have their contacts and we will call them when the money is ready,” he said.

    Jagun, however, declined to give a specific date that the winners would be paid.