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By Joe Apu
Former Nigerian international, Esther Aiyelabola, has expressed concern over the declining state of athletics development in the country, urging the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to intensify efforts to revive the sport, particularly at the grassroots level.
Aiyelabola, who represented Nigeria in athletics at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand, lamented that grassroots athletics is gradually fading, stressing that the federation must look beyond preparations for international competitions and focus on sustainable developmental programmes that will nurture young talents.
According to the former athlete, Nigeria remains blessed with abundant young talents that require proper grooming to secure the future of the sport.
She noted that while the AFN continues to organize training camps for international competitions, insufficient attention is being paid to grassroots athletics where future champions are discovered.
Aiyelabola therefore called on the AFN board, led by Chief Tonobok Okowa, to give greater priority to grassroots programmes to ensure a steady supply of athletes for the national team.
She also urged state athletics associations to take a more proactive role by deploying coaches to Inter-House Sports competitions, zonal meets, and state championships to scout promising talents capable of replacing the country’s ageing national stars.
The former international stressed that deliberate grassroots talent identification and development remains crucial if Nigeria hopes to sustain its competitiveness in global athletics.
