Nigeria: Ogba Charges National Assembly Over Sports Development

Daily Independent (Lagos)

29 June 2011

The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Solomon Ogba, has charged the leadership of the National Assembly to pay attention to the development of sports because of its potential to improve the image of the country.

Ogba, who stated this during a state dinner in honour of athletes and officials at the three days All Nigeria/Cross River State Athletics Championship in Calabar, averred that if emphasis is placed on sports the lost glory and respect which the country earned from other countries will be restored.

The AFN boss, prayed special that attention be paid to track and field events because that is an aspect where the country has made its mark in the past while referring to the just concluded championship as the best in the last ten years.

According to him, the last five days in Calabar underscored the importance the State attached to the championship and that every athletes, whether winner or loser foreigner or local, looked forward to coming back to Calabar while commending the state government for hosting the championship as well as the dinner for the athletes and officials.

A representative of the athletes, Ms Otonye Iworima, commended Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State for sponsoring the championship, which she described as one of the best she had attended, adding that the governor had the interest of every athletes at heart.

Iworima commended the Ethiopian team which competed in international relays for giving them a good challenge as well as sharing in the dinner.

Governor Liyel Imoke, appreciated the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for attending the championship and dinner and said his presence portends great things for the country, believing that he would do everything to support sports development.

Imoke reasoned that time is now to regain the lost glory in sports and that the only way to achieve it is through hardwork because champions and world class teams are not created over night, explaining that it requires a lot of resources and application of resources and the only way is for all to come together, speak together and dream together of track and field.

The governor said the championship had been the greatest inspiration as the younger generation might not understand the glorious years of the past and that AFN has brought to life the championship of yesterday and said there is need to depend on its experience, knowledge and know how to reposition track and field.

He expressed the commitment of the State to sports development and belief that the National Assembly would support it to bring back lost glory as well as fashion a way to bring back foreign based Nigerian athletes, adding that nothing will be too much to make Cross River State a home for track and field and a home for building great future champions in Nigeria.

The governor, who received a standing ovation from both officials and athletes, disclosed that the state intends to build an indoor sports hall and is willing to collaborate with AFN and athletes and as well as work closely with them to ensure the next championship is the best they have ever had.

Imoke disclosed that the state would procure everything to host a first class championship next season and hoped athletes would do their own part to break championship records.

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