Lonsdale Adeoye, the President of Nigeria Shooting Federation, on Friday in Abuja said Nigeria can win medals in the shooting sport if talents were well harnessed.
Adeoye, while speaking with the media on the federation’s performance at the 2018 African Youth Games said it was now clear that Nigeria could be champions in the game.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Nigeria at the AYG held in Algeria in July won a bronze medal through Agera Champion in the men’s 10 metres air rifle.
He said: “What happened in Algeria is an eye-opener for the federation. Some issues at Algeria went beyond our expectations. Therefore, there was the need for damage control.
“We went to Algeria with eight shooters only to be told there would be just two main events — the 10 metres air rifle and air pistol.
“We trained before travelling under natural air, but the competition exposed us to a fully indoor arena with air-conditioned range.
“So, if training for a few hours after other countries had undergone daily rehearsal could earn us a bronze medal in less than a week, definitely we can beat the rest of the continent in that category.’’
He however said efforts were on to put in place international facilities.
Adeoye said: “We are glad to announce that with the support of the Federal Government and other stakeholders, we are going to build fully indoor 10m range, with 15 target points, in Abuja.
“Also, the President of African Shooting Federation has promised to provide electronic targets once the range is ready.
“With that, we can even host international competitions in shooting which will further contribute to the development of the game in Nigeria.’’
Speaking also with the media in Abuja, Umar Liman, a member of the NSF board, said he was in line with NSF board’s determination to further develop the game.
He said it was in view of this that he was pledging to provide all the cement bags and loads of sand required to build the range promised by Adeoye.
Liman said: “I am going to provide all the cement and sand required for the project, so that the shooting sport can further develop under the present board.
“I therefore urge other stakeholders and sports sponsors to support the game so that Nigeria can be the hub of the shooting sport on the continent.’’
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