Charlton Ehizuelen, the world’s best long and triple jumper in the 70s, has congratulated the people and government of Ondo State for the start of the National Athletics Development Centre.
Ehizuelen spoke from his base in America in response to the agreement of the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, to host the NADC.
He said: “This is good news to my ears.
“I danced.
“My spirit was lifted.
“Yes, my heart is where sports development in Nigeria will become a landmark not in the future but now again.
“Tell the governor that I am happy with him for this that he is doing.
“I was with some of my colleagues, from the past the other day.
“The discussion of sports decline and lack of the Nigerian athlete in plurality, with regards to competition rather than the current state of Blessing Okagbare as the sole representation, on the world scene, was a major topic of our discussion.
“I was embarrassed and very angry because of the concerns that was expressed by individuals who are not Nigerians but friends of Nigeria.
“The time is ripe.
“Sports is a business and the only way to create sustainability is to create effective programmes that are specifically designed with deliberate intention to execute and deliver for successful outcomes.
“Most Nigerians l know here in the USA, seem to have lost hope for the shinning light that still exist in the Nigerian sports arena.
“But for me, it is a life time commitment and a give back mentality is where l must reside in my actions.
“I love Nigeria, it is the country that gave me my first opportunity in this journey called life.
“As a result, at this point in my life, my heart will be full of joy, see Nigeria top the list again in the multiplication effect in sports development, business and sustainability.
“That is what you folks have started in Ondo State must be given all that it requires to ensure it succeeds.
“That is where to start: the community.
“The reports I read of the plans on ground is so ennobling.
“I feel like I won a jackpot.
“God bless Nigeria.
“I am so happy the Ondo governor keyed straight into your programme and ideas.
“He should nurture it.
“I will visit the communities and the children when I come to Nigeria.
“I need to see our new sports nursery.
“It is a big shame that my record is still standing 43 years long.
“I had dreamt I will have to produce the new person to beat my record.
“With this, I am in.
“I will join hands with you to make this dream happen.
“That is the only way I can sleep well when my time comes.”
Ehizuelen, born November 30, 1953, is a former long and triple jump champion.
He set personal bests of 8.26 m (27 ft 1 in) and 16.82 m (55 ft 2 in) for the events respectively.
The latter mark from 1975 remains the Nigerian indoor record.
He became the first person to win both long jump and triple jump titles at the All African Games at the 1978 Games in Algiers.
He was also a double winner at the one-off West African Games held in 1977.
At the inaugural 1977 IAAF World Cup, he was a long jump bronze medallist and triple jump fourth-placer.
He was one of only three members of the African team to reach the podium that year, alongside Ethiopians Miruts Yifter and Eshetu Tura.
He represented Africa again at the 1981 IAAF World Cup but was eighth in the long jump on that occasion.
His international career on the highest stage was stymied by Nigeria’s boycotts of the 1976 Montreal Olympics and the 1978 Commonwealth Games done in response to South African apartheid.