The minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung and the leadership of the Nigeria Olympic Committee have commended the Nigerian Modern Pentathlon (NMPF) led by Jonathan Nnaji JP for bringing the Argentina 2018 Youth Olympic Games qualifiers and the Senior African Championship to Nigeria.
Dalung who was represented by the Deputy Director of sports in charge of the Lagos Liaison office of the Sports Ministry, Segun Akinlotan, made the commendation while officially declaring the championship open on Tuesday Dec 5, 2018 at the late Sir Molade Okoya Thomas multipurpose hall at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The leadership of the NOC led by Habu Gumel were also on hand to say thank you to the NMPF for bidding and hosting the championship which is happening in the continent for the first time.
Secretary General of the NOC, Hon Tunde Popoola who stood in for Habu Gumel at the occasion, commended the effort of the five sports(Aquatics, Athletics, Fencing, Polo and Shooting), whose disciplines are involved in Modern Pentathlon championship for demonstrating a high-level of understanding and prayed that their effort will be rewarded through Nigeria’s qualification to Argentina 2018 Youth Olympic Games.
Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Chief Francis Ogboro on behalf of his committee, thanked the president of the Confederation of African Modern Pentathlon, Nundkishor from Mauritius for the hosting right awarded to Nigeria and assured not to disappoint.
President of the NMPF, Chief Jonathan Nnaji, praised all the participating countries like Ghana, Cameroun, South Africa, Gambia, Mauritius, Madagascar, Mali, Gabon, Niger and Senegal among others. A total of 14 countries including the host nation Nigeria are taking part in the weeklong exercise holding simultaneously at both the Teslim Balogun Stadium and the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos. Shooting and Swimming at the National Stadium while Fencing is taking place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.