Seven-times Olympian, Segun Toriola, on Wednesday in Abuja said the National Sports Festival should remain open for all categories of athletes to take part in.
Toriola, while reacting to comments against veteran athletes’ participation at the festival, told the News Agency of Nigeria the young athletes need the inspiration the old athletes can provide.
NAN reports that some stakeholders had expressed mixed feelings on the status of the 19th NSF, which is open allows for elite athletes’ participation.
Toriola said the festival, which is expected to discover talents, should also involve veterans with the aim of inspiring the young ones.
He said: “For me, it is better for the NSF to be open. It is only in Nigeria that we ask if it (the NSF) is open or close.
“I live in France and the national championship there is obligatory for all players, because the young ones need to play with the older players.
“The young ones cannot keep playing their equals. It is not a good test for them to know if they have improved or not.
“Playing against the older ones is also an inspiration to the youths. They see their stars playing and want to be like them. That is how most of us started.”
Toriola, representing Akwa Ibom, has won the table tennis men’s singles event by beating Ganiyu Hashimyu of Bayelsa on Tuesday.
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