Africa Youth Games Nigerian Athletes in high spirits

The Nigeria athletes who have been camping in three centres namely Abuja, Lagos and Sapele since May 2 for the games are said to be in high spirits and have vowed to emerge tops.The Camp Commandant in Abuja centre, Dr Patrick Uwagbale, who spoke to SHOT! expressed optimism that the country will excel in the […]

The Nigeria athletes who have been camping in three centres namely Abuja, Lagos and Sapele since May 2 for the games are said to be in high spirits and have vowed to emerge tops.
The Camp Commandant in Abuja centre, Dr Patrick Uwagbale, who spoke to SHOT! expressed optimism that the country will excel in the games as he said only the best athletes have been selected to represent the country.
 “The athletes selected are the best in this country and they have been groomed to go there and participate effectively and win medals.
“The games is for the junior athletes who are about 17 years and they are very excited. Most of them have never travelled out of the country. This is an opportunity for them to go out and showcase their talent. They are indeed very fortunate to be among those chosen.
“ I have no doubt that they are going to perform better than the past edition. In the first edition we did very well and we were one step short from winning the games,” Uwagbale said.
Speaking further, he said though the camps of the athletes were spread across the nation with Abuja having the highest number, there has been proper co-ordination of camping activities.
“I can tell you without any fear of contradiction that the team spirit in the camps is high because all our efforts are geared towards the same goal.
“ I can tell you that the athletes in Abuja have exhibited very high sense of discipline. There has not been any single case of indiscipline. We are encouraged by their self control and commitment to training”.
Also speaking, a member of the local technical committee and Special Assistant to the Director General of the NSC, Mary Onyali Omagbemi said all the needed technical support for the athletes to excel has been provided.
She said the Nigerian contingent to the maiden edition of the games did well by coming second but the 2014 set must go a step further by clinching the top position.
“I am confident that our team will excel. What is expected of them is to win the gold medals which count most in the games”.
The Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo has urged the athletes to be committed and dedicated in the quest to excel and win gold medals during the games. According to him the set target is the minimum expectation of all Nigerians.
This accomplishment, he said, will elevate them to the status of heroes and heroines, which inevitably will result to Mr. President and host of Nigerians celebrating them. According to him “The President and all Nigerians are behind you, if you make gold, you will bring recognition to yourself and Mr. President will as well have a quality handshake with you in addition to other incentives”.
The Minister assured the contingent of maximum support and admonished them to train hard in order to bring laurels to the country.
He added that “NSC will do its part by ensuring all logistics and funding needs of the teams are met. It is therefore expedient that you put everything together and bring back gold medal to the country.”
The duo of Andong Essien and Esther Ahua who spoke on behalf of other captains of the various teams said that they have been working hard to be in shape and the sole aim of their participation at the event is to deliver all available gold medals at the championship to Mr. President and Nigerians. They also said the visit of the minister will serve as a great motivation for them.
The first edition of the African Youth Games was held in Rabat, Morroco in July 2010 and attracted just over 1 000 athletes from 41 countries participating in 16 sport codes but Gaborone 2014 will cater for 2 500 young athletes participating in 20 events.
The Games cater for athletes in the 14 to 18 year age range. For the African athletes, the Games will serve as a useful preparation platform for the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China coming up in August.