Lagos – A delegation from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) is expected for an initial inspection of the proposed High Altitude Athletics Training Centre in Jos.
A statement by Nneka Anibeze, Special Assistant to the Minister of Youth and Sports on Tuesday said that the centre when completed, would serve athletes from West Africa.
The statement explained that the inspection of the centre was for further recommendations and provision of facilities.
“Similar training centres are already located in South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Dakar and Zambia.
“An agreement had already been signed by Nigeria’s Minister for Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung, Hamad Kalkaba, the CAA President and Solomon Ogba, the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
“On the occasion, Kalkaba stressed the need for Africans to develop their own athletes by setting up structures and facilities that will enhance and develop athletes on their own continent.
“We have already set up a High Performance Training Centre in the University of Port Harcourt.
“We intend to set up another one in Jos for the middle and long distance runners because we have seen that we need to prepare our athletes in Africa,’’ the statement quoted Kalkaba.
The statement further quoted Kalkaba as saying that the need for the centres was to prevent defection of African athletes overseas.
“When you send them to UK, in few months they change nationality and easily become British citizens. But overseas, their coaches don’t support our athletes because they want their own to win.
“So, this is why we need to set up our own facility for long and middle distance runners in Africa to develop our own athletes.’’
The statement added that while responding, Dalung commended the CAA president for his passion in promoting African sports and enhancing the prospects of African youths.
“Sport is one of the strongest weapons of promoting development in Africa. The only thing that can provide gainful employment for youths and engage them is sports.
“With the support of the government, I have discussed with officials in South Africa that there is a need for us to strengthen the Council of Ministers meeting.
“If we must also domesticate our own talents and skills for the benefit of young Africans, then we must invest in the provision of modern sporting facilities in Africa.
“This will take us to the development of a functional high performance system with all the necessary equipment for the training, camping and development of African athletes,’’ it said.
According to the statement: “It is the absence of facilities that makes African athletes travel for training outside Africa and end up becoming citizens of countries where they are camped and trained.
“Without a high performance system, African sports will depend on talents and determination, saying that sports in the world has moved from talents and determination to science.
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“So, if Africa must make its impact within global sports, it must build a capacity to be able to favourably challenge and compete.
“We are not lacking in talents and determination, but we are lacking in the institutional framework to harness these particular potential for our comparative advantage.
“This is where the idea of building certain infrastructure is contemplated.
“We will be very grateful if the idea of building a High Altitude Athletics Training Center is nurtured to maturity.’’
The trio also signed an agreement for Nigeria to host the 22nd Africa Athletics Senior Championships to be held in Lagos in 2018. (NAN)