NAN-S-3
Competitions
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Feb. 21, 2017 (NAN) An Olympian, Edith Agu-Ogoke, has urged the Ministry of Youth and Sports to visit the records of those who were aspiring to become sports administrators when the forthcoming federations’ election were conducted.
Agu-Ogoke, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that such screening should be conducted by an independent body if positive result would be achieved.
“The truth is that our sports are dying to the detriment of existing and upcoming sportsmen and women who are aspiring to replace the ageing athletes in the nearest future.
“There should be evidence of good performance and visible contributions by the candidates eyeing positions in the federations, before the ministry endorses them for election,’’ the first Nigerian female boxer to feature in Olympic boxing said.
“Most importantly, candidates must be versatile, passionate and have the capability to take their chosen sports to the next level at national and international levels.
“Prior to the elections, and as part of its build up, an independent body should carry out screening on the input of the aspirants to sports to increase their chances of contesting,’’ she added.
Agu-Ogoke, who attended the London 2012 Olympics, said that sports in the country needed total overhaul, adding that it must begin with the incoming administrators.
The Olympian added that sports was a significant tool to meaningfully engage the youth, reduce vices and create opportunity for them to develop skills and contribute to sports development.
According to her, sentiments and favouritism has destroyed the sports sector which has denied some athletes chances of building careers in sports.
“If a survey is carried out, you will realise that Nigerian youths are endowed in every area of sports, including track and field, martial arts swimming and even in sports for the physically challenged.
“Once knowledgeable stakeholders are elected, they should develop their blueprints that could turn the fortunes of sports in Nigeria around, said the 2015 African Games gold medallist in the +75kg category.
Agu-Ogoke also won a bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glassgow, Scotland.
NAN reports that federations’ election comes up every four years after the Olympic Games. The 2016 elections were slated to hold after the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil but were rescheduled for March 2017.
Meanwhile, Solomon Dalung, the Minister of Youth and Sports has assured all sports’ stakeholders of a level playing ground for the elections. (NAN)
MIL/KOLE/PDE
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(Editing by Remi Koleoso/Peter Ejiofor)