Rowing, Canoe Federation assures of decent representation at Youth Olympics qualifiers

Nigeria Rowing Canoe and Sailing Federation has promised a good outing for the nation at this year’s Youth Olympic Games Canoeing World qualification holding in Barcelona, Spain, between April 12 and April 15.

The federation’s Secretary, Bunmi Oluode, who spoke with reporters at the weekend at the end of four-day trials in Lagos to select athletes for qualification, said 30 athletes from 10 states took part in the canoe and kayak trials, which began on Wednesday.

“The trials were organised as part of the federation’s effort to pick the best among the athletes, who will represent the nation at the qualifiers and hopeful qualify for the Youth Olympics Games in Argentina, this year.

“The athletes have done their part, it is now left for the technical team to select those who will represent the country based on merit. Those selected will be invited to camp for further preparations,” she said.

Oluode said that the competitors participated in the obstacle slalom and head-to-head canoe sprint, which are the two events for the qualifiers.

The scribe added that the African Youth Games fixed for July 17 to July 27 in Algiers, Algeria, would serve as qualifier for rowing and sailing events of the Youth Olympic Games slated for Argentina in October.

Oluode commended the federation’s president, Rear Adm. Festus Porbeni (rtd) for his efforts in moving the game forward and pleaded for corporate bodies’ support in order to complement the effort of the federation by sponsoring some of its programmes.