The Nigeria Rowing, Canoeing, and Sailing Federation (NRCSF) have expressed confidence in the success of the upcoming African Canoe Sprint Championship, assuring that the event will be a significant triumph.
Set to feature Nigeria and 20 other African nations, the one-week African Canoe Sprint Championship is part of a continental Olympic qualification series. Scheduled to take place from November 20 to 27 at Jabi Lake, Abuja, the championship holds the promise of intense competition and continental camaraderie.
Following a visit to the office of the Minister of Sports Development, President of NRCSF Rear Admiral Festus Porbeni affirmed the federation’s commitment to collaborating with the sports ministry to host a championship of distinction.
In an interview, Rear Admiral Porbeni highlighted the positive outcomes of the meeting with the honorable minister. He stated, “I just briefed the honorable minister about the event coming up, the Africa canoeing Olympic qualification series, and we are expecting about 20 countries here in Nigeria, and I can tell you that the meeting was positive.”
Continuing, he emphasized the ongoing collaboration with the sports ministry, noting, “We will continue to work with the sports ministry so as to stage a befitting championship. The ministry is the mother of the federations, and the minister has assured us that he will support our program.”
Porbeni underscored the significance of hosting the championship in Nigeria, emphasizing the benefits for local athletes. “It is very important to host the championship in Nigeria because our athletes will benefit from the hosting. We are prepared, and I can tell you that 17 athletes will represent Nigeria in the championship,” he affirmed. “Our athletes don’t need visas to travel because it is done here, and what we just need to do is to select the best athletes that can give us good representation.”
