Nigeria will feature no fewer than five male, five female athletes and officials in the International Association of Athletics Federations World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, Uganda.
The competition is scheduled to hold from March 24 to 26.
The Media and Communications Department of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria said on Friday: “Nigeria will be among the participating teams in Kampala, this weekend, all thanks to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, who offered to sponsor the country’s contingent.
“Buratai will also pay the country’s representatives bonuses and allowances to motivate them to be at their best in Uganda.”
The department said in a statement that Solomon Ogba, while reacting to the development, said Buratai had been a pillar behind sports, especially athletics.
The statement said: “His contributions have seen the army soaring in sporting circles in Nigeria and beyond.
“I must say we are very grateful to the Chief of Army Staff for his immense support all round and more importantly, to the long-distance runners.
“We are happy that Nigeria will be represented in Uganda.
“I can also assure Nigerians that beyond attending the world cross country championships, as a federation, we will do all to resuscitate this culture in Nigeria.”
The statement noted that beyond the federation, efforts were being made for schools to imbibe the cross country culture because it is actually a healthy habit.
It gave the names of the 10 athletes and five officials as: Sanusi Hausamatu, Rose Lange, Obilor Lorine, Naomi Yunana, Narinet Raymond, Manga Mohammed, Hannah Adewale and Danjuma Stephen Daylop.
Others are: Gyang Dahiru, Awal Gochin, Amos Unity, Adebayo Oloruntoba, Abubakar Ahmadu and Utman Olatoye.
The Nigeria contingent will be led by the President of the AFN.
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