Sports
Cross River State Government’s Zealousness to Develope Skate-A-thon Sports with Shehu Dikko of NSC
Daniel Damola
The Governors of Cross River, Enugu, Benue, Plateau, and Ekiti States have been on the front line news since their assumption of duty to bring succor in sporting areas that attract youth interest and as well address their restivness. Seeing the commitments of these governors to sports, one will say that they want to sincerely creat an opportunity for youths in their states to discover other areas of potential engagements in carrier progression and by associating with their peer groups, see natural environmental tepographys attractive for sporting events.
Similarly to Edo, Delta, Benue, Ekiti and River States that kits their athletes during Youth Games and reward those that win laurels for them, these Governors see sports as an area where youths energies can be channeled with their eyes focused in realistic dreams of not only having a better future but be self employed. Sports events convincinly bring out the best natural talents whose discovery start from school Inter House Sports and natured from its different categories up to the advance level of utilisation to both the athelete and the government. Natural talent in sports does not require much western education for one to excel but proper naturing that could be credited.
Over 40 sporting federations are under
the supervision of Alhaji Shehu Dikko, Chairman National Sports
Commission, but the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu sees the relevant need to expose Skating Sport which is fast developing in African continent to the general public. Governor Bassey Otu seems to believe that there is ability in every trial with determination thus his desire to equate Skating sport to other feild and track events and possibly, make it an Olympic sport that will be enviable. Hence he decided to promote and sponsor Skating. However, the origin of skating sports is from the Finland four thousand years ago, where it has developed over the century. Its main discovery was primarily to develop and save energy in harsh
winter conditions, thus the reason its mainly
compited during the winter season. The sport is such that sets of blades attached to shoes are used for gliding on ice or other surfaces.
Nigerians are globally known to be creative and discover new things like the Europeans. Curling is not an African sport but l, Daniel Damola the President of Nigeria Curling Federation saw the need to challenge whites in their game and make my country to instead of say “we can not do it, to believe that we can try it”. History has it now that Nigeria is the only African country that is a memember of World Curling Federation and we participated in Youth Winter Olympics held last year February 2024th in South Korea.
The former Minister of the default Ministry of Sports Development Sen. John Owan Enoh, President of the NOC Engr. Habu Gumel, staff of the default ministry and their press officer Felly Mammah N. Witnessed the tournament. Nigeria has no winter but it is presently registered as a Member of Winter Sports in the World body with over 500 curlers. Meanwhile, the sports value is highly commendable as it has guiding rules that says; skaters must obey the rink guards instructions, immediately allow the ice while the ice groomer is in operation, No horseplay, No speed skating, No pushing or shoving, No food or drink on the ice at any time.
In line with the desire of the Chairman of the Sports Commission to increase the GDP of the country’s economy with grassroot sporting programmes, the Governor of Cross River State has the same dream to provide livelihood to youths of this country using the tremendous economic potentials of skating to support the country’s GDP. Skating is a relevant competitive game that harnesses the talent of young athletes and it comprises teamwork with resilience.
His Excellency Sen. Otu wishes to organise a SKATE-A -ATHON major event in calabar from 17th to 19 March, this year that will create a platform for over 2000 Local and International
Skaters. Its avantage will create an employment opportunities for mass youths from the grassroot and event managers. Calabar the capital of Cross River State with its tepography that has natural beauty and serenic landscape will further place the county on International sporting map that will hence attract spectators from various countries.
The conducive atmosphere of Calabar, will not withstanding, provide unique opportunity to host international sporting events that will further enhance tourism but it will as well, encourage partnership with international agencies dedicated to foster sports and community development.
The forth coming tournament will offer unique opportunity that will engage local youths in positive and inclusive environment which can counter security threats. The event also, promotes physical activities, provides avenue for self-expression, bring together youth from different backgrounds and thus mitigate feelings of alienation that often contribute to insecurity. Cross River State government should be commended for adopting a rare sport that is domineering in the western world and exposing it to emerge as sports hub of Africa. Governor Otu’s vision for enhancing youths engagement through sports and recreation has catalyzed the success of the event slated to hold next month thereby, demonstrating a holistic approach to community development.
Both the Chairman of the Sports Commission Shehu Dikko, and the Government of Cross River state have unanimously agreed that it is possible when passionate individuals unite for an achievable cause. Partnership exemplifies how synergized efforts can yield positive outcomes not just for the sports community but for society at large. Meanwhile, the Nigeria online Skating Federation looks forward to hosting ten local events and six international events this year.
Daniel Damola
Chairman – inline Skating Federation.
Sports
AFN COO, Dr Nneka Calls For Increased Investment In Grassroots Athletics, Sports Facilities
By Joel Ajayi
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Operating Officer, COO, Dr Nneka Ikem Anibeze has called on state governments and universities across the country to invest in athletics facilities and grassroots competitions to discover and nurture emerging talents.
Anibeze, who expressed delight at Nigeria’s achievement at the just concluded Youth Olympics where Nigeria won 3 Gold medal in athletic in Dakar, Senegal, said sustained investment in infrastructure, coaching and regular competitions would help the country build a strong pool of homegrown athletes capable of representing Nigeria successfully at international competitions.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Youth Olympic Games, she described Nigeria’s performance as encouraging and unprecedented, expressing satisfaction with the progress being recorded by young athletes.
The Senior Assistant Media & Publicity to the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy Anibeze particularly commended the National Sports Commission (NSC) for creating opportunities for athletes to participate in international competitions, noting that exposure to major championships was essential for their development.
According to her, taking athletes to competitions, including the youth championships in Oregon, has helped expose young talents to international standards and provided valuable experience for those travelling outside Nigeria for the first time.
Anibeze noted that although some athletes were still developing, their performances demonstrated the benefits of regular international exposure and the need to sustain the momentum.
She said: “I feel very happy that this is happening in our time. It is unprecedented, and I am particularly delighted that we are beginning to see the results of these efforts.
“We must also appreciate the National Sports Commission for making it possible for our athletes to be exposed and given more competitions to participate in.”
The AFN COO stressed the need for Nigeria to look beyond athletes based abroad and deliberately develop the enormous athletic potential within the country.
She maintained that Nigeria had abundant homegrown talents who could compete at the highest level if provided with the right opportunities, facilities and support systems.
Anibeze explained that the federation was working towards securing sponsorship for more competitions, including all-comers meets, grassroots championships and school sports programmes.
Also She stated that plans were underway to organise more intermediate and grassroots competitions in Lagos and other parts of the country, particularly next year, to expand the talent discovery network.
According to her, such competitions would provide opportunities for young athletes to demonstrate their abilities and progress through the national athletics development structure.
She identified inadequate sporting facilities as one of the major challenges confronting athletics development in Nigeria, urging state governors to construct standard running tracks and mini-stadia in their respective states.
“If we have more tracks in our communities, people will not have to wait until they come to Abuja before they can train and compete.
“You can imagine that the girl who just performed was fine-tuned within two or three weeks. If she had access to better facilities and a good coach, the sky would be her limit,” she said.
Anibeze also urged universities to prioritise sports infrastructure, citing the University of Oregon in the United States as an example of how educational institutions could contribute to the development of world-class athletes.
She said Nigerian universities could build athletics tracks to support students with sporting potential, adding that stronger university sports programmes would also improve the country’s representation at the World University Games.
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