Nigeria Rowing, Canoe and Sailing Federation targets early Tokyo 2020 preparation

The Secretary General of the Nigeria Rowing, Canoe and Sailing Federation, Olubunmi Ola-Oluode, has described the commissioning of 20 rowing/kayak boats donated by Mutual Benefits Assurance PLC to the federation as landmark event in preparation for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Speaking during the recent commissioning by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, at the Bics Boat club situated at 20b, Wole Olateju Crescent, Lekki Phase 1, Olubunmi said, “We believe the commissioning of the boat will help the grass root developmental programme that the federation is trying to target towards the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.”

Reacting to questions from journalists, she explained that despite the qualification of 2 of its elite athletes for the 2016 Olympics game in Rio, the federation under the leadership of Rear Adminral Festus Porbeni (rtd) has decided to focus more of its attentions to grassroots developmental programs which will start in earnest.

According to her, “Presently, we are looking at the forthcoming developmental program in Gombe state.”

Olubunmi revealed that the federation is waiting on the government after they wrote to the Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo, intimating him of their desire to bring the sports to the state.

“We want to take the sport there and get as many as are around the riverine area in the Northern region because we have so many of them in Lagos, Western region and Niger Delta.

“We want to explore the Northern Part of Nigeria,” she said.