Arena Athletics Academy, a track and field academy aimed at identifying and grooming future stars has debuted in Lagos with its maiden training session at the Yaba College of Technology sports complex on Saturday June 10, 2017.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the commencement of the academy’s programmes, the founder, Mr. Iyere Eyieyien, said, “Nigeria has progressively lost its athletics glory in the last two decade due to a lack of attention to grassroots development of athletes. We no longer put strong performance in the global scene because there is no planned efforts to groom athletes to replaces our aging athletes who have passed their peak. Arena Athletics is borne out of our passion to put Nigeria back to reckoning in athletics through a planned and sustained programme.”
“Schools sports which used to be the starting point for great athletes is merely ceremonial these days with talented pupils only trained for two weeks before their annual inter-house sports competition. Arena Athletics will work with schools and individuals to nurture talented students from both primary and secondary schools and ensure that they are exposed to modern techniques and global scholarship opportunities.”
Mr. Eyieyien, a former Nigerian junior athletics champion, disclosed that Arena Athletics Academy is already finalising partnership with foreign athletics clubs where its students can go for international exposure.
Mr. Adu Uruemu and Mr. Sule Oluyomi Oladimeji, former national athletes, were introduced as the Chief Coach Sprints and Head Coach Horizontal Jumps respectively of the academy. Coach Adu is Head Coach (Athletics) Lagos State Grass Root Development (adopt Talent Programme). Coach Oladimeji was a 5 time national triple jump champion and 2 time national champion in long jump. He is currently Head Coach with the Nigerian Immigrations. They are both IAAF Certified coaches.
 |
| Left: Iyere Eyienyien, Founder Arena Athletics Academy and Coach Adu Uruemu with students of the academy at the maiden training session of Arena Athletics Academy. |
“Schools sports which used to be the starting point for great athletes is merely ceremonial these days with talented pupils only trained for two weeks before their annual inter-house sports competition. Arena Athletics will work with schools and individuals to nurture talented students from both primary and secondary schools and ensure that they are exposed to modern techniques and global scholarship opportunities.”
Mr. Eyieyien, a former Nigerian junior athletics champion, disclosed that Arena Athletics Academy is already finalising partnership with foreign athletics clubs where its students can go for international exposure.
Mr. Adu Uruemu and Mr. Sule Oluyomi Oladimeji, former national athletes, were introduced as the Chief Coach Sprints and Head Coach Horizontal Jumps respectively of the academy. Coach Adu is Head Coach (Athletics) Lagos State Grass Root Development (adopt Talent Programme). Coach Oladimeji was a 5 time national triple jump champion and 2 time national champion in long jump. He is currently Head Coach with the Nigerian Immigrations. They are both IAAF Certified coaches.
No comments:
Post a Comment