President of the Nigeria School Federation (NSF), Olabisi Joseph, has reiterated that Nigeria has talented athletes who can make the country proud at the international level.
Joseph stated this at the just-concluded third edition of World School Athletics Trial held at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan where thousands of athletes competed.
She said the programme is a platform for NSF to choose the ambassadors of Nigeria who will represent the country at the International School Sports Federation (ISF) sports event.
She added that they have ISF U18 Gymnsiade coming up in Bahrain in October and U15 Gymnsiade coming up in Serbia in April 2025.
“This is a platform we can meet millions of children and give them the opportunity to exhibit their inherent abilities that God has given them.
“So, it is from these event to ensure that we actually have good representatives if we don’t want to handpick from any school. So, we have given Nigerian boys and girls the opportunity to meet in Ibadan to choose the best of them and represent Nigeria.
“Like I said in the U18 category, we have ISF Gymnastics in Bahrain, so the winner from this event will be representing Nigeria in October and then the winner from U15 will represent Nigeria in Serbia in 2025.
“I can say in the last three years we have started the trial programne, we have discovered the likes of Ronke Akanbi, Taiwo Kudoro from Yewa College, Ogun State, proudly the two of them are representing Nigeria.
“Today as we speak, Taiwo Kudoro is in Lima for the World Athletes U20 and of course, Ronke Akanbi has represented Nigeria a couple of times, likewise other good legs.
“We have abundance of talents in our school system and we as NSF body we are doing what we can to ensure that we give our boys and girls the opportunity, the platform to be able to showcase their talents and then annex such talents into the mainstream of that sport.
“I want to appreciate Athletics Federation of Nigeria for looking inward to see what NSF can produce and been able to used some of our children that are exceptional and I want to believe that it goes round for all other sports.”
She encouraged the athletes who make podium finishes and have the opportunity to represent Nigeria in different international competitions, not to relent in their efforts and they should keep training as they are going to the global level to compete with their counterparts across the world who are also training.
She also lauded Oyo State government for accepting to host the trial in Ibadan, saying they are investing in the future of the younger ones.
Meanwhile, Chairman, Oyo State Athletics Association, Mr Issac Friday Ogada, encouraged the athletes not to relent but keep training ahead of the international championships coming up later in the year and next year.
Hapzibah Okon from Akwa Ibom claimed the winner in the U12 100m category while Prince Gabriel also from Akwa Ibom won 100m U12.
Eze Adaeze Precious also emerged the winner of U15 100m.
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