Relocate Oghara Training Camp, Coach Tells NSC

Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Coach, Tobias Igwe, has told the National Sports Commission (NSC) to relocate the athletics camp from Oghara in Delta to the FCT, Abuja.

Igwe told the newsmen on telephone on Thursday in Lagos that Oghara lacked necessary facilities for athletes to train and excel at competitions.

He said that the camp lacked a gymnasium apart from other facilities available at the Abuja National Stadium, adding that the facilities enhanced performance.

“Relocating the camp to Abuja will accord us the same status as footballers even if the place is a two- star hotel, it would be better than the condition we endured at Oghara.

“We want the athletics team to be camped in a place that has all the necessary equipment to aid their training just like the weightlifters who are also in Abuja,’’ he said.

Igwe also told Tidesports source that in spite of the doping scandal at the 19th Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, Nigeria still remained a force to be reckoned with in athletics.

“We have learnt our lesson from this sad episode in our athletics history, we will ensure that this scandal does not repeat itself in future.

“Nevertheless, we are still a force to be reckoned with and we will continue to enhance our profile through credible performances in future meets,’’ he said.

The Coach also implored the government to provide training grants for foreign-based Nigerian athletes to reduce excessive participation in competitions.

“The elite athletes should be supported with training grants by the government to boost our medal prospects at future competitions.

“The earlier we start our preparations for the All Africa Games the better our chances of doing well,’’ Igwe said.