Olawale Ajimotokan and Joel Ita in Abuja
The Nigerian Rowing, Canoeing and Sailing Federation (NRCSF) has set up a new Rowing and Canoeing Training Center at Jabi Lake, Abuja to achieve its goals.
The federation chairman, FBI Rear Admiral Porbeni (Rtd), revealed it in Abuja this weekend at the start of the 8th Porbeni National Boat Race and the unveiling of six newly acquired limited edition Nelo boats.
He said the center would be a game-changer and be a concrete example of how the federation can change the lot of young Nigerian athletes, adding that the center would help the federation immensely in improving the performance of its athletes.
He also revealed that the federation is working tirelessly to improve the technical and organizational efficiency of the championship to attract support from the International Canoe Federation (ICF) and the International Rowing Federation (FISA). He said it would authenticate new records set, created or broken by athletes in the competition.
He described boat racing as essentially a talent hunt and discovery competition aimed at bringing athletes to stardom and notoriety by preparing and exposing them to international competition. However, he advised that other states adopt canoeing and kayaking as a major sporting activity.
He congratulated Ayomide Bello for breaking his African record by 50 seconds in the 200 meters event in Morocco, a new record of 49 seconds.
For his part, Bello said Nigeria could win gold medals in canoeing thanks to the new training center and standard equipment provided by the federation.
“My intention ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics is to train and break the record by 46 seconds,” she said.
Moses Michael, who won a gold medal in this event, revealed that the competition helps and trains the athletes, that Nigeria can make history in an international tournament.
Former Super Eagles striker and special assistant for sports to the president, Daniel Amokachi, has acknowledged the work of the Nigerian Canoeing and Sailing Federation in organizing the sport to bring out the potential of young athletes.
The gold medalist will return home with N100,000, N70,000 silver and N50,000 bronze in the 2022 Admiral Porbeni National Boat Race.
Up to 130 athletes are competing for medals in 15 events at the current competition.
