NAN-S-18
Athletes
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) Athletes at the ongoing Nigeria Army Sports Festival on Thursday appealed to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, to ensure their release for further competitions to boost sports development.
The athletes told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Abuja that their release would make them train hard to improve on their performance and enhance the military‘s image.
Idi Yusuf, winner of the 800m men category, from 81 Division, said that the festival was a blessing for him to revival his skills.
“I was a runner before I joined the Nigeria Army but after I joined the army I stopped running because of my duty.
“But I thank God for this festival, I started training a month before the festival and I was able to win the 800m.
“I commended COAS for resuscitating the sports because most of us were of the view that sport was no more in the Nigeria army.
“Bringing back the physical training and sports had made us very happy.
“I am appealing to the Nigeria Army authority to ensure the release of athletes to go and train for other championship to better their performance,’’ he pleaded.
Ifeyinwa Onodugo, a triple jump winner from 1 Division, also appealed to COAS to ensure athletes release for competitions.
“I look forward to a time where I will be able to represent Nigeria in international competition to make the Nigerian Army and the nation proud,’’ she said. (NAN)
DE/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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