The Nigerian Olympics Committee, NOC, has confirmed participation in the maiden edition of the African Schools’ Sports Games in Annaba, Algeria, organised by the National Olympic Committees of Africa, ANOCA.
Tony Nezianya, the Public Relations Officer of NOC, disclosed that Team Nigeria would be in Algeria for the competition scheduled from July 24 to Aug. 5, in Algeria.
“The event, which will be held across four venues, is designed to serve as a crucial platform for discovering and nurturing young athletic talent across the continent.
“This initiative is a vital springboard to prepare Africa’s future stars for primary international stages.
“Its launch is particularly timely as the continent prepares to host the Youth Olympic Games for the first time.
“The goal is to strengthen and encourage young people to begin honing their talents and skills for elite competitions like the Olympic Games,” he said.
Nezianya said the Games will feature a comprehensive programme, with at least 20 sporting events, providing young athletes a wide range of opportunities.
“In a significant move to ensure mass participation, the host nation of Algeria has offered free accommodation and free entry visas to all 54 African countries.
“This gesture of visa waivers may also be intended to support ANOCA President Mustapha Berraf, an Algerian national who leads the continental Olympic body.
Nigeria confirmed participation in the Games. According to Nigeria’s leader of delegation, Amaka Ashiofu from the National Sports Commission the 68 Athletes representing the country.
“The selected athletes are from 10 Sports from where Nigeria figures it has relative advantage,” he said.
He said Team Nigeria would feature in 10 sports, Athletics, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Canoeing, Football, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cycling, Swimming and Badminton
“In a determined bid to ensure that those who were entered for the games were bona fide students who had met the standards as genuine, they brought letters of attestation from their schools and report cards.
“After their selection, they were camped for 12 days because of their promotional examinations,” he said.
The Secretary General of the NOC, Tunde Poopola, also added that he was confident the youngsters being show-cased in the games would perform well during the competition because he could see their enthusiasm.
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“I can see their enthusiasm. They are full of innocence and there are no previous records to reference as this is a brand new game,” he said.
Coach Fortune Olayiwola of Canoeing said the team’s performers are programmed to perform creditably, especially when motivated.
“If you motivate them to do well, they tend to exceed expectations,” he said.
Coach Victor Nwangwu of Taekwondo expressed the same sentiments,” even though the team is new, they have had some considerable experience from some local competitions and limited international meets.
Coach Yakubu Musa Argungu, of the Beach Volleyball, re-echoed the same sentiments when he said that although the team is relatively new and honed their skills using an improvised facility, they hope to leave lasting impressions on the games.
” It is the same sandy surface, but only with different weather. Whatever, we promise to make it an impressive show.
“While the games had already commenced, the Algerian organiser had planned an official opening ceremony, “he said.
The Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko and the Director-General, Bukola Olopade, are expected to arrive in Anambra to witness what promises to
be a grand opening ceremony.
