There seems to be an enduring love for Nigerian sports administrators by the Saudi Arabian government. About two years after picking former Super Eagles star, Michael Emenalo, to head its football revolution, the Saudi Arabian government has picked another Nigerian, Enefiot Udo-Obong, to lead its athletics development programme.

The appointment, according to the Saudis, gives Udo-Obong the power to do anything possible to produce world athletics champions for the Kingdom, which has been heavy into sports development in recent times.

Udo-Obong’s first task is to lead the Saudi Arabian team to the forthcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Thereafter, he is expected to produce a programme that will turn the Kingdom’s athletes into great competitors in the nearest future.

The Guardian learnt that Udo-Obong was chosen from a list of six contenders, including two Australians, two Americans and one Briton.

To celebrate Udo-Obong, who is vacating his current position as technical director of Lagos State Athletics Association (LSAA), the association held a send-forth parley, where they presented a plaque to the Olympian in appreciation of his service to the state.

Speaking at the event, LSAA Chairman, Solomon Alao, said the association was excited at Udo-Obong’s personal achievement, which is a testament to his growing stature as a World Athletics Certified Trainer of international repute and the opportunities it portends for Lagos athletes and coaches.

He said that Udo-Obong has been the brain behind the many lofty developmental programmes in Lagos State for the past three years, adding, “with his guidance, the Lagos Athletics Association hosted more competitions than any other body across the nation, and was directly responsible via her competitions, especially the Deji Tinubu Lagos series, for over 50 athletes getting scholarships to the United States.”

“Udo-Obong continues to give energy to many great ideas and initiatives, and going by what we have been able to achieve with him in Lagos in a short space of time, we can hardly wait to benefit from his sure prowess on the International scene.”

He announced that Mr Billy Disu would act in the interim as Udo-Obong’s successor as LSAA’s technical director.

Earlier, Head, LSAA’s Athletics Development and Welfare, Dr Modupe Ogunbanjo, told the audience that Lagos State has been able to organise more successful competitions than any other state with many of the athletes gaining international scholarships due to Udo-Obong’s efforts.

She prayed that the state would continue to enjoy Udo-Obong’s expertise even while the Olympics gold medallist is in Saudi Arabia.

In his response to the accolades showered on him, Udo-Obong said he would always be grateful to LSAA for giving him the opportunity to serve the state even when he is not an indigene of the state.

“In everything I have done, I have received utmost cooperation from the state, no matter how expensive the programme is. Lagos has led the way in developing young athletes, some of who are now in Team Nigeria’s squad for the Olympic Games. This could only be possible because we got the freedom to do things our way.

“I will be in touch and look for ways to help the state and Nigeria, even from Saudi Arabia.”

The Olympic gold and bronze medallist is expected to leave Nigeria this weekend to assume his position as Saudi Arabia’s Athletics Technical Director.

The post Saudi Arabia picks Udo-Obong to head athletics devt appeared first on Guardian Nigeria News.

Powered by WPeMatico