Sports Enthusiasts Applaud Birth Of Offsight Race

A new type of sport, “Offsight Race’’ which enhances the mind’s power of focus and imbues positive thinking was yesterday presented to the world of sports in Nimo, Njikoka Council Area of Anambra.
The game is conceptualised, designed and developed by Anambra-born Chukwudi Ikedimma from Nimo town.
Offsight Race is a game of three stages where the athlete is blindfolded and made to walk within some given regions in which points are recorded in terms of accuracy and speed.
According to the inventor, Ikedimma, the game strengthens the mind’s power of focus and inspires positive thinking in the athletes as well as instill useful values.
He said that Offsight Race is a game for all irrespective of gender, age or physical impairment which promotes positive and healthy competition as well as the eagerness of an individual to thrive.
Ikedimma said that the game was conceived during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) service year and had undergone years of research and development.
According to him, the main concept of Offsight Race is to positively identify neighbouring regions in relation to the place of play.
“Offsight Race is a game of friendship, solidarity, peace and fair play which are some of the fundamental principles of the Olympic movement.
“Our desire is that in a very near future, Offsight Race will be a major event at the world stage of the Olympic Games.
“We are calling on Nigerians sports authorities to adopt the game and promote it because of its immense benefit,” he said.
Frank Igboka, a veteran Wrestler and Judoka, described the game as hilarious and inspiring, adding that it demanded focus and tact from the athlete.
Igboka, an Olympian who is also from Nimo, said that the community wholly endorsed Offsight Race and was presenting it to the world.
He urged lovers of sports and corporate firms to sponsor the idea and make it part of the country’s contributions to sports.
Contributing, Jane Owo, Head Enugu Zonal Office of The Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports, applauded the concept and ingenuity of the game.
Owo described Offsight Race as non-segregational and promised that the ministry would like to bring the game to limelight.
On his part, Geoffrey Ogu, President, Para-Athletics Federation of Nigeria (PFN), said Nimo had made another history with the gift of Offsight Race to the world of sports.
Ogu, who noted that the recent signing of disability bill into law by President Muhammadu Buhari would increase activity in para-games volunteered to supervise the game.
“The core value of this game is that it is for all; men, women, able, disabled, young and the aged.
“I now supervise blind football, I will like to make this game a national and international event,” he said.