National coach, Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria (KFN), Cletus Okegbe, has said that inadequate facilities was hampering the training of kickboxers at the National Stadium in Lagos.

Okegbe told the newsmen that kickboxers currently trained on a hard ground at the stadium due to lack of mats, a situation he said predisposed them to injuries.

“We train on a rough floor here and sincerely, it restricts us from engaging in certain levels of training because it will result in exposing the athletes to injuries.

“The condition is a major challenge and is affecting the development of the martial art, but we still manage to train here,’’ he said.

Okegbe said that he had scheduled the athletes’ training to beat the vagaries of weather and the environment.

“The floor and hot weather are both unpleasant. I always advise athletes to come early for training so that we will achieve a lot before the sun rises,’’ he said.

The KFN coach appealed to the National Sports Commission (NSC) to look into their situation and support the sport’s development.

He said that should they participate in an international competition where standard facilities are used, the kickboxers would not be able to utilise them.

“The substandard training facility has a negative impact on athletes, when they find themselves in an international contest, they will not be able to exhibit their skills,’’ he said.

Okegbe said he was impressed with the kickboxers turn-out for training, in spite of the uncomfortable state of the environment.

He also called on lovers of martial arts, security outfits and corporate bodies to collaborate with the federation to grow the sport.

“Contributions from these groups will go a long way in adding life to the sport which will also encourage existing and upcoming athletes,’’ he said.

The kickboxers could not use recently renovated Brai Ayonote Gymnasium because for now, the NSC allows only competitions to hold there.