Mary Onyali, Executive Director (Technical), Nigeria Olympic Fund, on Wednesday says the body plans to open two training centres for kids early next year.
Onyali told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the two centres would be located in Kwara and Kogi States.
“Our focus next year is to set up at least two training centres in the first quarter and kick start operations immediately.
“The centre in Kogi will be named after the late athlete, Sunday Bada; we will accommodate and train kids in these centres for future Olympic events,” Onyali said.
She said weightlifting would be the target sport for the Kwara centre and would be named after veteran weightlifter Ruth Ogbeifo.
Onyali, a bronze medallist at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, also said that centres would be created in all 36 states of the country, depending on the availability of funds
She said that the Fund has embarked on advocacy visits to get support for the project.
She appealed to Nigerians to support the project by contributing at least N100 to its cause through details available on www.nigeriaolympicfund.com.
“Right now, we are still on advocacy visits. Funds are coming in, but still very little.
“The highest we have had so far is N10 million given to us by Chief Afe Babalola, founder of Afe Babalola University.
NAN reports that the Nigeria Olympic Fund aims to prepare and sponsor Nigerian contingents for future Olympics. (NAN)