The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Mr Solomon Ogba on Sunday adviced Nigerian athletes to intensify efforts in training ahead of Rio 2016 Olympics to enable them win medals.
Ogba gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Okpepke, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo.
“Olympics is for professionals and we are happy to say that we have qualified in most track and field events.
“Every professional athlete that wants to win money in athletics should know what to do.
“They must train for it; if they win the money, it is not going to come to the federation but to them,’’ he said.
Ogba said that the training and preparation for any track and field event was mostly done by the athletes themselves, adding that the federation only managed and monitored them few weeks before the event.
The AFN boss noted that the just concluded International Okpepke 10 km Road Race showed the willingness of Nigerian athletes in the road and marathon races.
“We are happy that the Okpepke road race signals the interest of our athletes in road running and marathon races.
“In Paris marathon, our athletes were among top 30 in the World.
“If you come to Okpepke and you do not find Nigerians running, then there is something wrong.
“We are happy that the Okpekpe road race has provided a platform for many of our road runners to also step up their game and be part of what the global community is doing,’’ he said.