NAN-S-3
Training
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) Athletes at the ongoing Nigerian Army Sports Festival have called on the Nigerian Army to organise more training programmes and competitions for them to ensure better performance.
Some of the athletes, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that the training would help them not only to do the Nigerian Army proud but also take Nigeria to enviable heights in sports.
Pte Awwal Hudu of 82 Div., Enugu who finished in an impressive time of 1.04.30 seconds to clinch the gold medal in the 21 km half marathon race expressed happiness over his performance.
“It was a nice race and the result of a three-month intensive training.
“I am very grateful to my coach and my superiors, who approved an early release for me and my colleagues to train.
“This ensured that we performed above expectation and made our division as well as the Nigerian Army proud,’’ Hudu said.
He thanked the Nigerian Army for giving him the opportunity to showcase his talent, while urging them to do more in terms of organising more training programmes and competitions for the athletes.
“These trainings and competitions are very essential ingredients to any athletes’ growth and development in the sports,’’ he said.
Also corroborating with Hudu’s views, Naomi Yunana of 3 Div., Jos who clinched gold in an impressive time of 1.21.07 secs in the half marathon female category said her goal was to be a national hero.
“I would like to be like the Chioma Ajunwa’s of this world, who became the first Nigerian and West African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in Atlanta 1996 for the country.
“But this can only be possible if we the athletes are exposed to more training both locally and abroad.
“This will go a long way in ensuring that we not only represent our country, but also break national and international records in future,’’ she said.
NAN reports that the Sports festival which kicked off on Oct. 8 will end on Saturday. (NAN)
VO/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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