Abuja – The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prioritizing athletes’ welfare and early preparations as Team Nigeria gears up for the upcoming All-Africa Games and Summer Olympic Games. These events are set to take place in Accra and Paris next year, respectively NEGROIDHAVEN has garnered.
Senator Enoh emphasized the importance of commencing preparations well in advance during a conversation with his media team in Abuja. He pointed out that securing early training camps for athletes, both within Nigeria and abroad if necessary, is vital. This proactive approach will not only ensure that athletes are in prime physical condition but also allow them to adapt to the expected weather conditions.
The Minister cited the Jamaican track team’s preparations for the World Athletics Championships, during which they spent around a month in Budapest. He highlighted the remarkable difference in performance between athletes who benefited from such exposure and those who didn’t.
“One of the things that the Ministry is going to do,” the Minister explained, “will be to ensure that it secures training camps within or outside Nigeria, as needed, early enough for athletes to prepare adequately, acclimatize, and gain exposure to top-notch facilities ahead of championships.”
For Nigerian athletes who compete internationally, their overseas training environments present a dual reality for the nation. While this means that some athletes have access to world-class facilities, it can also lead to scheduling conflicts for pre-championship training camps. Senator Enoh assured that the Ministry would work collaboratively with athletes and federations to ensure seamless execution of these plans.
The All-Africa Games is slated to be held in Accra, Ghana, from March 8 to 23, 2024, while the Summer Olympic Games will take place in Paris, France, from July 24 to August 11, 2024.
