The Confederation of African Athletics in conjunction with International Association of Athletics Federations say they will help to promote long-distance races in Nigeria.
The President of CAA, Hamad Kalkaba, on Saturday in Lagos said the body would support the building a High Altitude Performance Centre in the northern part of the country.
“The IAAF and CAA will encourage long distance races in Nigeria by building a high altitude performance centre in the northern part of Nigeria,” Kalkaba said.
Kalkaba, who represented the IAAF President, Sebastian Coe, said the push had been on by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria for a while, adding that there would be a rethink.
Reacting, Omatseye Nesiama, the Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the news was a good development.
Nesiama said: “We have been clamouring to have such a high altitude performance centre in Nigeria.
“Hearing this at the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is a good development.
“It will promote long distance races in the country.
“Athletes would be happy having the centre.
“One of our major visions in the AFN is for us to embrace long-distance races and I know with this development, we will achieve it.”
Nesiama also applauded the first three Nigerian male and female marathoners.
NAN.
Trending
- Yahaya Bello: Selective prosecution by EFCC unacceptable — Dele Momodu
- Lagos to residents: We won’t back down until we find solution to flooding
- Ex-Bank Manager jailed 121 years for N112m fraud
- IPI Nigeria demands immediate release of FIJ journalist
- Africa and the imperative of South Korea’s development model, by Tunde Rahman
- Education: South-west Nigeria has lost its edge!, by Abiodun Komolafe
- Metal debris hits journalist in Kano, Police promise probe
- Capital City University, Kano appoints first female registrar