NAN-S-13
Rowing
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Sept. 26, 2017 (NAN) Nigeria’s representatives at the ongoing World Rowing Championships in the U.S. say their participation will boost their chances of representing the country at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that six rowers are currently representing the country at the championships which began on Saturday at Sarasota in Florida.
Stephen Pamotie, who is participating in the single scull lightweight men event, told NAN that his participation was timely.
Pamotie said such a competition would give home-based athletes the opportunity to qualify and represent the country in Tokyo.
“This is a bigger platform for me and other athletes representing the country. We have made our mark on the continent and it’s the right time for us to forge ahead,’’ he said.
Favour Bewei, a female rower in the women’s double scull event, commended the Nigeria Rowing Sailing and Canoe Federation (NRSCF) for ensuring that the country was well represented.
Bewei said representing the country at the world stage was a plus for her career in the sport.
“I have attended several competitions on the continent, but this one is different due to the number of countries and athletes participating.
“Our main purpose here is not only to win medals but to gain more exposure,’’ she said.
Speaking also, retired Real Adm. Festus Porbeni, President of NRSCF, said Nigerian rowers’ participation was to ensure that home-based athletes got the necessary support needed to be at Tokyo 2020.
“By so doing, they will be able to creditably represent the country alongside the foreign-based athletes at the Olympics.’’
He however commended Sapetro Oil, an upstream Oil and Gas company, for sponsoring the team to the world championships.
NAN reports that the duo of overseas-based Jonathan Akinyemi and Chierika Ukogu represented the country at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.(NAN)
KOA/GOM/OLAL
================
(Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam and Olawale Alabi)