Francis Ajuonuma
Nigerians have been told to believe in the new system by the South West Athletics Association (SWAA) towards the development of athletics in the country.
TN Sports recalls that SWAA held a one-day athletics meet on November 12 at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex for secondary schools within the SouthWest Zone.
The one-day athletics meet, solely sponsored by Lagos State Athletics Association (LSAA), chairman and board member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Dr. Solomon Alao, saw states like Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and host, Lagos compete in the long jump, short-put, and Sprint events.
Dr. Alao, who spoke with TNSports at the event, emphasized the need to focus more on grassroots programs which he said is where the future of Nigeria athletics lie. He believes that with a solid athletics foundation at the grassroots it is only a question of time before Nigeria reclaims its lost glory.
“Though Oyo and Ondo are not here, nonetheless, we’ve forged on, surely. And we’ve discovered new talents here today. At least now all those with daunting attendance know what next to do; how to develop their athletes, how to prepare for other competitions that are in the offing.
“Look, we must continue with things like this, we must lean ourselves to this type of service because this is how you find talents, this how you give the opportunity to people that God bless with enormous sporting talents; they need a place to showcase their talents and to be discovered. Athletics started here in the Southwest. We want to continue with that and that’s what we want,” he said.
“I’m encouraged. Very much encouraged, very happy with what I’m seeing here today from these young athletes. It shows that with this kind of program the future is very bright for athletics in Nigeria and we should believe in this new system.
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“Certainly, some great times are counting in. There is a girl (Taiwo Ikuduro) that ran 46 sec in the 400 meters, we’re very, very encouraged, I can tell you she did 47secs recently and 46secs today that means she’s coming up, she’s improving, o you watch,” Dr. Alao added.
Akambi Aferoke won the girls 800m race followed by Olawale Kehinde and Falade Hannah while that of the boys was won by Kazim Issah who finished ahead of Saliu Samuel and Adeyemi Kabiru.
