My Foundation will produce Olympics’ medalists, Ajunwa assures

ATLANTA ’96 Olympics gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa-Opara, yesterday disclosed that her motive for setting up a Sports Foundation was to create an avenue for Nigeria to produce more Olympics medallists in the nearest future.

At the unveiling of the Chioma Ajunwa Sports Foundation (CAJFON) in Lagos yesterday, the police officer said the foundation was her way of giving back to the society.

“From my active days as a footballer and long jumper till now, I have consistently thought of the ways and means of empowering our youths to greater heights using their God given potential,” Ajunwa said. “My desire is to help our youths, who are carried away by hard drugs, prostitution and other social vices, to become leaders of tomorrow.”

Already, the Chioma Ajunwa Foundation in conjunction with Lagos State Sports Council and Athletics Federation of Nigeria has fixed November 19 to 21 for the maiden edition of CAJFON’s U13 Athletics championship at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

Ajunwa revealed yesterday that 20 male and 20 female athletes, who excel in the championship, would be moved to a camp, which the Foundation has put in place at Meran area of Lagos, where they will be monitored by coaches. Over 2000 athletes are expected to participate in the event, which is being partnered by Integrated Oil and Gas Limited.

Also speaking yesterday, Technical Director of the Chioma Ajunwa Foundation, ex-Olympian, Henry Amike, said that CAJFON would operate under the guidance of IAAF, adding that its main focus is to catch athletes young and take them to the pinnacle of their career.

“We want to focus on athletes between the age of 9 to13 years, when they don’t know anything about drugs and other ways of cheating during competitions,” he said, adding that the Chioma Ajunwa Foundation will spread to other parts of the country in April next year when the second edition will take place.