Sports
IAAF, CAA Delegation Inspects Athletics Training Centre
A delegation from the Inter
national Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) is expected for an initial inspection of the proposed High Altitude Athletics Training Centre in Jos.
A statement by Nneka Anibeze, Special Assistant to the Minister of Youth and Sports this week said that the centre when completed, would serve athletes from West Africa.
The statement explained that the inspection of the centre was for further recommendations and provision of facilities.
“Similar training centres are already located in South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Dakar and Zambia.
“An agreement had already been signed by Nigeria’s Minister for Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung, Hamad Kalkaba, the CAA President and Solomon Ogba, the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
“On the occasion, Kalkaba stressed the need for Africans to develop their own athletes by setting up structures and facilities that will enhance and develop athletes on their own continent.
“We have already set up a High Performance Training Centre in the University of Port Harcourt.
“We intend to set up another one in Jos for the middle and long distance runners because we have seen that we need to prepare our athletes in Africa,’’ the statement quoted Kalkaba.
The statement further quoted Kalkaba as saying that the need for the centres was to prevent defection of African athletes overseas.
“When you send them to UK, in few months they change nationality and easily become British citizens. But overseas, their coaches don’t support our athletes because they want their own to win.
“So, this is why we need to set up our own facility for long and middle distance runners in Africa to develop our own athletes.’’
The statement added that while responding, Dalung commended the CAA president for his passion in promoting African sports and enhancing the prospects of African youths.
“Sport is one of the strongest weapons of promoting development in Africa. The only thing that can provide gainful employment for youths and engage them is sports.
“With the support of the government, I have discussed with officials in South Africa that there is a need for us to strengthen the Council of Ministers meeting.
“If we must also domesticate our own talents and skills for the benefit of young Africans, then we must invest in the provision of modern sporting facilities in Africa.
“This will take us to the development of a functional high performance system with all the necessary equipment for the training, camping and development of African athletes,’’ it said.
According to the statement: “It is the absence of facilities that makes African athletes travel for training outside Africa and end up becoming citizens of countries where they are camped and trained.
“Without a high performance system, African sports will depend on talents and determination, saying that sports in the world has moved from talents and determination to science.
“So, if Africa must make its impact within global sports, it must build a capacity to be able to favourably challenge and compete.
“We are not lacking in talents and determination, but we are lacking in the institutional framework to harness these particular potential for our comparative advantage.
“This is where the idea of building certain infrastructure is contemplated.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, who delivered the President’s condolence message during a visit to Kano on Tuesday evening, said the Federal Government was already working on a framework to provide proper rehabilitation for the injured and sustained support for the bereaved families.
“The National Sports Commission, on behalf of the Federal Government, has offered to interface with the state government to come up with a proper framework to support the families of the dead and also ensure the proper rehabilitation of the survivors,” Dikko said during the visit.
“This injury is to all. It is a tragically momentous period in our sporting history, and we want to let the state government and the individual families know that we are all grieving together and will do all that is needed.”
Dikko, who had just returned from London where he attended the Unity Cup final and held meetings on domestic sports development, travelled straight to Kano upon his arrival in Nigeria.
He was received by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsallam Gwarzo, as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is currently in Saudi Arabia for the hajj pilgrimage.
Senior government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government Umar Farouk Ibrahim, commissioners, and executives of the Kano State Sports Commission, were also present.
The NSC chairman visited the homes of several bereaved families across the state capital and later proceeded to the Murtala Muhammed Hospital, where nine survivors of the crash are currently receiving treatment.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring not only immediate relief but also long-term recovery and rehabilitation for those affected.
“I had to cut short my trip to the UK, where I was holding strategic meetings to boost our domestic sports, to come down and visit the people of Kano,” Dikko added.
“Going forward, the need for enhanced safety and welfare of participating athletes before, during and after major sporting events will become even more topical now. Our prayer is that this should never happen again.”
In response, Deputy Governor Gwarzo thanked the President and the NSC for their concern, describing the visit and federal intervention as timely and deeply appreciated.
Kano State’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Umar Fagge, also said efforts are ongoing to provide medical care for the injured and emotional and financial support for the affected families.
“These athletes were ambassadors of Kano and were full of life and hope. Their loss is deeply painful,” the commissioner said.
A representative of the bereaved families, who spoke at a local mosque during the visit, expressed gratitude to the President for his empathy and swift response.
The fatal crash occurred at the Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, as the delegation returned from the national competition.
It has been described by state officials as one of the darkest moments in Kano’s sporting history.
ICC revealed the outstanding programmes and performances that have won regional honours in the 2024 edition of the ICC Development Awards on Wednesday.
Nigeria will be vying for the global honour with three other regional winners from East Asia Pacific, Europe and Asia.
Emirates Cricket Board (Asia), Persatuan Cricket Indonesia (EAP) and Cricket Scotland (Europe) are the other contenders.
Top of Nigeria’s women’s cricket stride in the year under review is the qualification of the women’s U-19 team for the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia as well as the bronze-winning feat of the Female Yellow Greens at the Africa Games in Ghana.
The ICC Development Awards were established in 2002 to celebrate the initiatives and innovative programmes leading the growth of the sport around the world, delivered by ICC Members in emerging nations.For the first time, the 2024 awards comprise seven categories after the introduction of the ICC X Rexona criiio Festival of the Year award.
The winners of the global awards will be determined by a specialist and independent panel of voters consisting of Indian cricket icon VVS Laxman, former West Indies leg-spinner Samuel Badree, former White Ferns wicketkeeper-batter Katey Martin, Head of Marketing – Unilever International Nitin Agarwal and representatives from ICC partners, ICC full members, and the media.
Speaking on the announcement of the Regional Winners of the ICC Development Awards, ICC Chairman, Mr Jay Shah said, “For the past 22 years, the ICC Development Awards have celebrated the successes of ICC Associate Members, and it is pleasing to see how much growth in innovation, creativity and inclusivity has taken place with each passing year.
“Cricket is a vehicle for change and the programmes and projects delivered both physically and digitally reflect the hard work of our passionate Members from around the world who work tirelessly to see the sport grow in their territories.”
“I would like to congratulate the regional winners on their success and wish them luck as we embark on the global voting process.”
Put together in honour of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for his laudable roles in socio-economic and political development of the country, the Bank says the sponsorship is a proof of its unwavering commitment to the development of sports in Nigeria under its First@Sports initiative.
As preparations for the event gathers momentum, captain of the Club, Sunday Ajiboye, says all necessary arrangements at making sure the event goes as planned has been put in place while promising a fun filled atmosphere during the event.
“This auspicious event is where golfing stars are made and the game enjoyed to its fullest. We promised unparallel experience, making this edition the best yet,” Ajiboye said.
Over the years, First Bank has been a driving force in the promotion of sports in the country, and this is evident in its legacy sports initiative, which includes golf, polo and tennis.
The famous Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championships which has been sponsored for well over 63-years is a testimony to the bank’s dedication to the development of golf in Nigeria.
The OBJ golf tournament which debuted in 2015 has run for seven years with First Bank providing the funding.
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