Lagos – The Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) in conjunction with International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) say they will help to promote long-distance races.
The President of CAA, Hamad Kalkaba, on Saturday in Lagos said the body would support the building a High Altitude Performance Centre in the northern part of the country.
“The IAAF and CAA will encourage long-distance races in Nigeria by building a high altitude performance centre in the northern part of Nigeria,’’ he said.
Kalkaba, who represented IAAF President, Sebastian Coe, said the push had been on by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for a while, adding that there would be a rethink.
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
Reacting, Omatseye Nesiama, the Technical Director, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the news was a good development.
“We have been clamouring to have such a high altitude performance centre in Nigeria, hearing this at the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is a good development.
“It will promote long-distance races in the country; athletes would be happy having the centre.
“One of our major visions in the AFN is for us to embrace long-distance races and I know with this development, we will achieve it,’’ he said.
He also applauded the first three Nigerian male and female marathoners. (NAN)