African Youth Athletic Championship: Team Nigeria, just arrived Warri, Delta State for the Championship. Photo by Frank Efe

Frank Efe – Chairman, Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Mr. Amaju Pinnick has urged Team Nigeria, representing the nation at the maiden Africa Youth Athletic Championship (AYAC), holding in Warri, Delta State, to do the nation proud.

Amaju said this in Warri, today, while welcoming Team Nigeria to Warri, Delta State on behalf of the state government.He said Nigeria’s tomorrow rest on the team’s performance, adding that Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan wants to start seeing medals rolling.

The LOC Chairman urged Team Nigeria to continue to imbibe the spirit of discipline throughout the competition.

Amaju also stressed that the aim of the championship is to bond the people of Africa together and create way for togetherness.

While thanking members of the coaching crew for their dedication towards ensuring that the team wins overall medals in the competition, Mr. Amaju reminded the team that they have no reason to fail the country.

He said; “W also want to thank some of the biggest names in sport administration who are coaching you and have been with you. If you have these people and you fail, that means you do not have a future.

“But if you have them and you carry out their instructions, you will not only wim this tournament but you will also graduate to the juniors and seniors, which is the elite level and you will create a future for yourself.”

Earlier, the President, Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Mr. Solomon Ogba also urged the team to create a record that will be very difficult to break.

He asured the team that Prisident Goodluck Jonathan will be present at the end of the tournament to grace the closing ceremony of the competion.

He said; “Know that the entire country is behind you. We want you to win it in such a way that there is no doubt. Once the green and white jessy is on your body, know that there is no slacking and no shaking.”

“So on behalf of the fedearation, we are ready to go with you. Your allowances will be paid and from today, it is going to be in dollars.