NAN-S-4
Attention
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Feb. 17, 2017 NAN) Michael Oladiende, a member of Africa Wushu Federation (AWF) board, says Wushu-Kungfu’s future in Nigeria will be brighter if the Ministry of Youth and Sports gives it adequate funding.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wushu is a modern fighting method with series of styles which originated from Chinese martial arts.
Oladiende told NAN on Friday in Lagos that the sport was a multi-medal sport and needed to sponsor national athletes to series of international youth championships.
“Exposure through regular competitions is the only edge that foreign athletes have over ours and which we can overcome with support from the ministry.
“Wushu has almost 40 medals on offer at competitions and in Africa, Nigeria is a force to reckon with, but it is unfortunate that we are not pulling our weight, especially in youth championships.
“I urge the sports authorities to give quality and equal attention to all sports, especially the multi-medal sports such as Wushu for the athletes to perform well at continental tournaments,’’ he said.
Oladiende, the third vice-president of the West Africa Wushu Federation, urged the government to liaise with Nigeria Wushu-Kungfu Federation (NWKF) to ensure that Nigeria featured in competitions.
According to him, the collaboration is a way the sports ministry can empower the federation in the promotion of its athletes.
He said football was a global sport which at various levels had found its fit, adding that footballers were also making waves in their teams and clubs.
“Football is a global sport and can survive on its own but other sports need maximum support and extra work to make significant impact to get recognition,’’ he added. (NAN)
MIL/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)