President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Solomon Ogba, said the federation will embark on a search for fledgling talents that could help the country improve on her podium participation in future championships.
Speaking in Lagos during the week, Ogba stated that there are lots of Nigerian-born junior athletes in the USA, willing to compete for the nation at international events.
He noted that he has drawn up a list and will stop at nothing a convincing these kids and their parents to come to Nigeria rather than wait for the chance to appear in the colours of the USA or any other country that may want to recruit them.
“We are aiming to embark on a massive recruitment of Nigerian junior athletes abroad. We have quite a good number who are willing to come to Nigeria,” Ogba said.
“I have a long list we are considering. Some of these junior athletes have even indicated their interest to come home in the near future.”
He also said that the federation is bent on helping the nation regain its past glories, most especially the male sector which has been shot of top class competitors in recent times.
“Since the exit of athletes like Uchenna Emedolu and Olusoji Fasuba we have not had quality male sprinters. We hope to train some of the juniors that we have on the list and others at home towards that end,” Ogba added.
