The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has commended the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for its grass-roots development programmes.
Henry Amike, the President of the Nigeria Association of Athletics Technical Officials, confirmed this to newsmen yesterday in Abuja.
Amike said that IAAF commended AFN for the proper organisation and officiating of Nigeria’s foremost junior Athletics championship, Dr D. K. Olukoya U-18 National Athletics championship and the Golden League.
The U-18 championship was held in February at Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun, with more than 600 athletes participating.
“The IAAF was pleased with the manner in which the federation had been organising the championship with proper record keeping of athletes’ data.
“It also commended the AFN for the smooth running of our league with particular reference to grass-roots youth development.
“We are very pleased to receive such commendation from a highly esteemed world athletics governing body at this time when we have just concluded our first Golden League of the year in Abuja.
“This will encourage the federation to do more and improve on our other programmes,’’ he said.
According to Amike, the first Golden League of the year will served as trials for three forthcoming major championships.
“They are the Africa Youth Championship in Gaborone, Botswana; the IAAF World Junior championships in Oregon, U.S. and the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China,’’ he said.
He noted that the Golden League, which began four years ago, has grown to become the nation’s number one junior championship.
Amike, who is also the President of Nigeria Olympians Association, added that the league now also serves as trial for major continental and global championships and meets.
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