Performance Center Gets NSC Nod -Ekeji Throws Weight Behind IAAF Project

Director General of the National Sports Commission, Dr. Patrick Ekeji has thrown his weight and that of the NSC on the High Performance Center that was approved by the President of the IAAF in Nigeria.

According to Dr. Ekeji, the NSC is fully in support of the center because one cannot remove high performance from sports science; noting that nothing will work if all these are not brought together. He therefore challenged other institution in Nigeria to create a department for medicine in sports so as to improve Nigeria sportsmen and women in the school.

“Things are beginning to fall in place for Nigeria as the High Performance Center in UNIPORT, when operational will help our athletes develop in sports medicine and other areas to enhance there performances.
“When I was told about the center coming to Nigeria, I supported it immediately because I know it will help our athletes greatly.

“One thing we lack today in Nigeria is sports science and you cannot remove high performance from sports science as it will not work so it is very good we are now having the center.” While speaking on Olympic qualifications for Africa athletes, Ekeji challenge the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) to make the All Africa Games as an Olympic qualifier which he said will raise the standard of the Games as professional athletes in Africa who wishes to attend the Olympics will turn up.

“The All Africa Games is Africa’s own Olympics and to make it have a standard, ANOCA should make it an Olympic qualifying Games as it will see Africa professional athletes coming back to participate because no athlete will want to miss the Olympics.
“Most of the professional athletes don’t turn up for major African events and I think this decision, if taken will see the pros coming to partake in big events in Africa.”