The Nigeria Rowing, Canoeing and Sailing Federation has assured that the forthcoming African Canoe Sprint Championship will be a huge success.
Nigeria alongside other 20 African countries will take part in the one week African Canoe Sprint Championship.
The championship which is a continental Olympic qualification series is billed to take place from November 20 to 27 at Jabi Lake, Abuja.
Speaking in an interview after a visit to the office of the minister of Sports Development, President of Nigeria Rowing, Canoeing and Sailing Federation Rear Admiral Festus Porbeni assured that the federation will continue to work with the sports ministry so as to host a befitting championship.
According to Porbeni, the meeting with the honorable minister of sports development is yielding positive results.
“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,” he said.
“We will continue to work 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.”
The NRCSF President further highlighted that Nigerian athletes will benefit hugely from the tournament since the African Canoe Sprint Championship is taking place in the Nigeria.
“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,” Porbeni continued.
“Our athletes don’t need visas to travel because it is done here and what we just need to do is to select best athletes that can give us good representation.