The Nigeria Rowing, Canoe and Sailing Federation on Sunday said no fewer than 18 states participated in its demonstration events at the ongoing third National Youth Games in Ilorin.
The federation President, retired Real Adm. Festus Porbeni, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the sport was featuring in the Games as a demonstration event for the second time.
Porbeni said that the participation was to ensure that the sport was included as a scoring events in the next edition of the Games.
He said: “I’m happy and delighted that we are part of this year’s Youth Games and this is a good development for the sport featuring for the second time as a demonstration sport.
“We have more states this year and this shows that the country has the talents needed to thrive in the sport.
“We have young people in riverine area across the country and we intend to continously engage them.
“The federation will redouble its effort to increase the profile of the sport at the grassroots.”
The president commended Sapetro, an upstream oil and gas company, for providing support in ensuring the federation’s participatión in the Games.
Porbeni said: “Our participation this year was made possible due to support from our sponsors and we appreciate the honourable Minister of Youths and Sports for his presence at the opening of our event on September 9.”
NAN reports that rowers and kayakers took part in 13 events of the sport while medals were presented to athletes who excelled.
The National Youth Games began on September 7 and would be concluded on September 17.
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