NSC backs Platinum Jubilee Celebration of athletics in Nigeria

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has thrown its weight behind the forthcoming Platinum Jubilee celebration of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). The federation was founded in 1944.
Members of the Athletics Stakeholder, the committee responsible for the planning of Track and Field Platinum Jubilee Celebration recently paid a courtesy visit to the Director General of the NSC Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye.
Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of the AFN Platinum Jubilee Celebration committee, Olukayode Thomas, told Hon. Elegbeleye that in the last 70 years, track and field has achieved so much and that all the principal characters behind the success story must be honoured and celebrated,
“Of the three gold medals won by Team Nigeria at the modern Olympic Games since Helsinki’52 Games, two were won by track and field athletes. Tracks and field has also recorded more success than other sports at the Commonwealth Games and the All Africa Games.
“We have recorded success in all IAAF championships from World Championships to World Indoors, World Junior, World Cup, World Relays and other Championships.’’
Thomas also said that track and field has ensured that many Nigerians were educated at home and abroad and some of them are top professionals in many sphere of human endeavor,
“we have decided to honour athletes, officials, coaches, corporate organizations and other stakeholders who have made all these and many other achievements possible’’.
Responding, Hon Elegbeleye commended the Athletics Stakeholders for their initiative, he assured them that the NSC is behind them and will give them all the support they need to ensure a successful celebration,