NAN-S-2
Athletics
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Nov. 22, 2017 (NAN) An athletics coach, Isaac Ikahbomeh, has advised members of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to change their mindsets about the sport and emphasise grassroots development to move it forward.
Ikahbomeh gave the advice in Lagos on Wednesday while reacting to the launch of a new AFN logo and constitution aimed at rebranding the federation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the logo was unveiled at the annual general meeting of the federation held on Nov. 16, Abuja.
The logo replaced the old one that had been in use since 1944.
The Lagos-based coach said that efforts being put in place to rebrand the sport would be more fruitful if AFN members could change their viewpoints about the sport.
“Rebranding athletics in Nigeria is good, but it must start with stakeholders in the sport.
“We should put aside selfish interests and work as a team to give the sport a facelift at the grassroots.
“Athletes and coaches must also play their part in rebranding the sport,” Ikahbomeh, a former Chairman of the Track and Field Coaches Association (TAFCAN), Lagos Chapter, said.
He urged the AFN board to work with state associations to revive athletics in schools.
“We must look inward by going to schools to get budding talents in athletics; many of our past and present athletes were discovered in schools.
“We must get our priorities right and start from the grassroots,” the coach said. (NAN)
KOA/MO/IGO
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Edited by Omolade Morayo/Ijeoma Popoola