The Nigeria Institute of Sports (NIS) on Thursday in Lagos said it would introduce Arm Wrestling as part of programmes within its mandate of training, research and sports development.
The Director-General of the institute, Prof. Olawale Moronkola, made this known when he received the President of the Arm Wrestling Federation of Nigeria, Mr Samuel Jackson, and his team.
Jackson was also at the institute with members of the arm wrestling team that won laurels for Nigeria at the 13th African Games in Ghana.
Moronkola, who thanked the delegation, also promised to support and encourage them.
“I want to thank you for your keen interest in arm wrestling. In sports, just like other human endeavour, you can’t learn everything, just like we have so many things in the curriculum, but we pick a few.
“This is something we will be proud of. We will work together to forge a good partnership.
“I like new ideas when there is justification for it. We shall be ready to take necessary steps to make it work.
“We shall do all within our power and encourage you to put everything together in the next few months.
“I will take it to the academic board so that it can be included in our curriculum.”
He equally challenged the athletes to ensure they saved and also develop themselves through education.
“You must plan for your retirement by developing yourself.
“You can lead the Nigeria Olympic Committee in the future if you acquire quality education,” he said.
Earlier, Jackson had commended Nigeria’s arm wrestling at the 13th African games for their performance.
“We have come a long way by hosting Africa thrice. We are now ranked third on the continent due to our impressive outing at the African Games in Ghana.
“We want to have arm wrestling in the NIS curriculum to expose our athletes, technical officials and other stakeholders who may be interested in latest trends and as well as build up their techniques while also exposing them.
“We are also here to say thank you for allowing us to use the NIS facilities in Abuja while preparing for the games,” he said.(NAN)
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