NOC scribe wants athletes’ data base

The Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Tunde Popoola, has charged the National Sports Commission to keep the comprehensive data of all athletes participating in the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival, Eko 2012.
Popoola, who is also the Chairman of the Lagos State Hockey Association, while speaking with sports journalists, noted that proper record keeping would in no small way raise the standard of sports in the country.
Popoola said: “We need to have a comprehensive data base of all the athletes at the National Sports Festival starting from Eko 2012.
“Record keeping is vital and it is the responsibility of the sports authorities.
“It would also enable both the NSC and NOC to monitor the progress of the athletes effectively.
“Again, there must be a synergy between the NOC and NSC so that the athletes can get the best in terms of attention.”
He lauded Lagos State for providing a structure that would lead to the successful organisation of Eko 2012.
He said: “I’m impressed with the facilities put in place for the Games.
“The athletes are really going to benefit because they would compete in a conducive atmosphere.
“The organisation of the Games is impressive.
“There is adequate security and decent accommodation for the athletes and officials.
“With what Lagos State has done so far, it means we have come of age in sports.
“There is no mistake awarding the sports festival to Lagos State.
“This has been justified.”