NAN-S-10
Race
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Feb. 16, 2017 (NAN) A Sports consultant, Izuchukwu Udegbunam, on Thursday urged the Ministry of Youth and Sports and corporate bodies to enhance the development of long distance races by investing in it.
Udegbunam told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that such investments would help to research into and discover ways of grooming athletes in long distance races.
He noted that Nigerians could also gain prominence like the Kenyans and Ethiopians through the sport if given adequate attention.
“We have budding talents in the country who are ready to participate in long distance races but we are not doing what is expected of us as a country.
“In 2013, I took some Nigerian marathoners to China to compete in 10km Zhunhai International Marathon and Olumudi Aderonke won gold in that tournament where Kenyans also competed.
“China organises Marathon every week just to promote the sport and develop their athletes and if we can do the same it will be a plus for Nigeria,’’ he said.
Udegbunam, who is also the founder of Poshon Global Sports Ltd., added that a thorough research on long distance races would help to discover the necessary steps needed to enhance the sport.
“Nothing stops us from doing research on how the Kenyans and Ethiopians are topping long distance races over the years and still remains relevant today.
“We have brilliant people who can carry out this research in the country,’’ he said. (NAN)
KOA/ENN
========
(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)