By: Gracious Akujobi The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has reminded athletes and coaches to report to Abuja camp latest by October 30 to commence preparation for the new season.
Omatseye Nesiama, AFN’s Technical Director who disclosed this said the Federation was serious about early camping ahead of new season as a build up to the Commonwealth Games and African Championship next year.
He is however confident that with early preparation, Nigerian athletes would well at the Commonwealth Games holding in Glasgow, Scotland.
“This camp is for fine-tuning and conditioning our athletes against the next season considering the fact that we have Common Wealth Games and the African Championship next year.
“We are very serious with this camp that is why we have pegged October 30th as deadline for athletes and coaches. Any athlete or coach who does not report by tomorrow will be reported to their respective states and clubs”
Nesiama told Prompt News Online that the Federation has a minimum of two and half months to prepare and execute its strategies before the new season starts.
He spoke further, “We have a minimum of two and half months to prepare for the new season. When the camp is over by early next year, we will start with what we call ‘over distance’ competition which will commence by late January/early February ,also those who are going for the in-doors will be available for the world in-doors in March.
Nesiama also promised that come Commonwealth Games, athletes would put smiles on the faces of Nigerians as they have started the process of achieving positive results.
“Definitely, we are promising Nigerians because of what we are putting in place. After the last Olympics we promised ourselves we have to work towards winning medals at subsequent championships and that we have started as we improve on the last World Championship.
“We were treble champions in the youth junior categories at the last African championship. These are all part of making the podium at the Commonwealth Games next year,” Nesiama stated.
