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Nigeria aims to develop world-class long distance runners with first National Cross Country Championships.
The Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare, has approved the maiden edition of the National Cross Country Championships to be held in Jos, Plateau State, on February 18.
He declared that the Cross Country Championships is part of his long-term plans to develop long-distance running in Nigeria to a world-class standard, which aims to develop world-class long-distance runners.
The championship according to the Sports Minister, becomes necessary to enable the athletes to develop their strength and make them better runners.
“Cross Country running, experts tell us is excellent for developing strength,” says Dare who began the move to develop distance running in Nigeria last year.
“We have enormous potentials to rival the east Africans and win laurels for the country at continental and international championships and games. More importantly, we want to positively engage the mass of distance runners in this country and make them earn good living from running around the world like their east and north African counterparts,” said the Minister.
Project coordinator, Tony Osheku, also explains why Cross Country is a necessary start for distance runners who want to succeed on the road or the track.
He shares the Minister's sentiments that training like a Cross Country runner or running in the event will make an athlete faster, stronger, and more in tune with his body and become mentally stronger.
“In Cross Country, you sometimes do a jump or run up a hill, and you’re not sure if you’re going to stumble. Or maybe you’ve picked up a lot of mud on your shoes and they feel as heavy as rocks. Either way, you’re building enormous strength. The hills and mud develop power and resilience in your calves, hamstrings, and quads. The uneven ground strengthens your feet and ankles,” said Osheku.
The well-renowned coach also praised the Minister's enthusiasm for developing long-distance events in Nigeria.
“I was a strong part of the team the Sports Minister assembled last year to map out plans on how to develop long-distance running in Nigeria and I remember we had a camp for a few weeks in Jos for some of our elite distance runners.
“I cannot remember any Sports Minister who has shown the kind of interest and enthusiasm Chief Dare has shown and his knowledge of the sport. It is amazing,” Osheku concluded.
The 10km Cross Country Championship will be held at the Rhino Golf course in Jos.
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