21st September, 2011
Former 100m African champion, Tina Iheagwam, has charged sports ministry and other sports stakeholders to support the development of track and field events in the country.
Iheagwam made this callwhile reacting to the overall standing of Nigeria on the medal’s chart at the just concluded All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambigue, saying the nation has potential of ruling the world in track and field events.
“There is need for the sports ministry and other sports stakeholders to pay attention to the development of track and field events in the country. This is where our strength lies and we need to build on it. Football is not the only sport in the country, we can also rule the world through track and field,”she said.
Iheagwam said the athletes deserve kudos rather than giving it to the sport administrators if the preparation toward the games in Maputo are considered, adding that there were numerous shortcomings in the buildup to the All Africa Games.
“Our athletes deserve commendation because of the poor preparation for the games. They gave a good account of themselves. Sports administrators should not be given this glory, it belongs to our athletes,†she said.
Iheagwam is a retired Nigerian athlete who won gold medal in the 100 metres of the 1987 All Africa Games in Naironbi, Kenya. She was born on 3 April, 1968.
—OLUSEGUN ABIDOYE