The Nigeria Olympic Committee has urged the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to take advantage of the hosting of the African Youth Athletics Championship in Asaba in the nation’s preparations towards the Youth Olympics, Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland and Olympics in Rio, Brazil.
President of the NOC, Engr. Sani Ndanusa said the hosting of the championship which attracted other African countries to Delta State and Nigeria is in line with NOC’s grassroots sports development plans especially from schools.? He said the Athletics Federation of Nigeria must use it as a platform to discovering athletes that will represent Nigeria in the Youth Olympics, Glasgow next year and Olympics proper in Brazil in 2016. “I commend the Athletics Federation of Nigeria for the staging of the African Youth Athletics Championship in Asaba. I am impressed because the new global initiative is to go to the grassroots and schools. I urge the AFN to use this opportunity as the best platform to pick athletes for the Youth Olympics, the Commonwealth Games and Olympics proper in Brazil.”
He said the NOC will support the AFN in the area of technical assistance in order to succeed in the international events. “This is a very good platform and I want to say the NOC will support the AFN in the area of technical assistance towards a good showing in major events like the Youth Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Olympics. This should be seen as a good preparation ground for the Olympics and junior Olympics.”