C’River Hires Foreign Coaches For Athletics, Boxing

Cross River State Government has recruited nine foreign coaches to help in the development of athletics and boxing in the state, the Youth and Sports Development Commissioner Raymond Obeten has said.
Four of the coaches, who are from Jamaica, according to the commissioner, will be in the state for a short period, during which they will train local coaches and games masters in both sports.
He said that the coaches would also organise seminars and workshops in the three senatorial districts in the state “to create awareness for both sports in the grassroots where we have a lot of talents’’.
Obeten told newsmen on Wednesday in Calabar that the remaining five coaches had signed a contract of “some years” and would be resident in the state to train athletes.
He said that the coaches had all arrived, adding that their coming was the outcome of his recent foreign trip to seek technical assistance in the development of sports in the state.
“We have 25 sports we are involved in, and we have planned a phased development programme for each of them and right now, we are starting with athletics and boxing.
“As we progress, we will embrace the other sports”, the commissioner added.
He expressed optimism that with the foreign coaches, the state would do well in the national sports festival coming up later in the year, in Rivers.
“Besides, a good foundation, right from the grassroots, will be laid for athletics and boxing in the state,’’ he said.
The commissioner also announced that a new stadium would soon be constructed in either Ogoja or Ikom.
He said that the funds for the construction of the two stadia had been provided for in the 2010 budget.