Nesiama celebrates Nigerian athletes in London

[MrVan]

By Onochie Anibeze in London

*Wants Nigeria to invest in athletics

Navy Captain Omatseye Nesiama is appealing to Nigerians to appreciate more what Track and Field can do for the country and support the sport more.

Track and Field has lifted Nigeria more than any other sport in the ongoing Olympic Games. Five Nigerians qualified for the semi-finals of their events here and this has been a tremendous boost to Nigeria whose sports has been dwindling for years now.

Blessing Okagbare, Gloria Asumnu, Omolora Omotosho, Amaechi Morten and Regina George qualified for the semi-final of their events, giving Nigeria global attention. Okagbare and George won their heats and this has been huge for Nigeria.

"We can do more," Nesiama said here in London. He is the Technical Director of Athletics Federation of Nigeria and commented more:

"Track and Field is huge and we have plans to make it real big in Nigeria. We have a programme we want to start as soon as we arrive Nigeria but we need sponsors.

My assurance to sponsors is that there will be great mileage for whatever investment they make in track and field. We will turn out world athletes and the visibility will be massive for them.

Track and Field is doing well here but I know that Nigerians would have shown greater support if it was football. We can develop track and field more. There are many benefits to the athletes and to the country.

There are social and economic gains. Do you know the gains for the country and athlete if we win gold? I think the media has to educate our corporate bodies more on the need to sponsor sports and make us a greater country.

Young and promising athletes gain scholarships, compete and contribute to the economy as well and boost the image of the country. It's and industry we need government and corporate bodies to support. We know the programmes that can make us great in track and field but we need money to execute those programmes."

Vanguard Nigeria