NAN-S-14
Wushu
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, April 25, 2017 (NAN) A former President of the Nigeria Wushu Kungfu Federation (NWKF), Ojo Adelusi, has urged the federation’s board to work closely with other stakeholders to enhance the profile of the sport.
Adelusi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that all hands must be on deck with a common goal to bring a turnaround in the sport.
“I am not happy about the state of activities in our sport, and it will not be good to be silent and allow things to remain stagnant or go worse.
“The board must set up a platform and bring in practitioners to bring ideas that will transform the sport,’’ he said.
The former president, also an international wushu kungfu judge, said that the poor state of the sport in the country had affected Nigeria’s participation in international programmes on the sport.
“The NWKF is affiliated to the African Wushu Federation and the International Wushu Federation.
“Nigeria made impacts in the bodies’ activities in the past.
“Funding and lack of sponsorship has also denied our national athletes’ participation in international championships.
“This is a big setback.’’ he said.
Adelusi added that the board should show more commitment by making funds available to generate competitions to sustain athletes’ interests in the sport.
NAN reports that the NWKF organised a National Wushu Kungfu Open Championships/ Referees Course in May 2016, at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
It has not organised any programme in 2017. (NAN)
MIL/ERO/IGO
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Ijeoma Popoola)