FOLUSHO ALADE, ABUJA
President of the NIGERIA ARCHERY FEDERATION, MALLAM MUHAMMED BABA ABDULAHI has said his vision for Nigerian Archery is to see the Nigerian national anthem sang all over the world when there are major international tournaments.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 2020 NATIONAL ARCHERY TRAINING WORKSHOPS for beginners and capacity building for intermediate Archers at the INDOOR SPORTS HALL of the MOGADISHU CANTONMENT in ASOKORO, ABUJA on Monday, ABDULLAHI said , “our vision is to ensure that the Nigerian national anthem is sang all over the world when there are major international tournaments.
The workshop which is a collaborative effort with the Nigerian Armed forces and the Defence headquarters to build capacity in officers and men of the Nigerian Armed forces comprising the ARMY, NAVY and the AIR FORCE is first of its kind.
According to ABDULAHI “it is in collaboration with the Nigerian armed forces, defence headquarters, that is why we have the army, navy and the air force with over 100 participants from the three arms taking part in the workshop, he said.
“We also have seen other Para military agencies personnel who choose to be part of the program on their own.
“That is a milestone for us. He said.
When asked what benefits would the workshop be to the participants, ABDULLAHI enumerated capacity building,skills development and friendship among the officers and men, insisting that the sport of Archery has come to its natural environment.
“For the military, it is to promote their capacity and develop the skills of the Archers.
“We packaged the workshop this time not because of the army alone but to support the men and officers in the armed forces.
“It is an enhancement to promote effectiveness in the military” according to ABDULLAHI.
“The sport has come to its natural environment. He said.
Speaking on the responses of the participant to the workshop, ABDULLAHI commended the enthusiasm of the officers and men and their show of passion.
In his words: “we have seen that lots of these officers and men have not just interest but passion for the sport.
“It is a success story for us and we are grateful and we shall continue to partner with the defence” he said.
Also speaking during the first day of the workshop, coach of the NIGERIA ARCHERY FEDERATION, ABUBAKAR BAWA said the workshop hopes to identify and develop potential Archers while honing the skills of the intermediate Archers.
BAWA who also doubled as a Resource person for the capacity building workshop however appealed to governments at all levels and well-meaning Nigerians to support the sport of Archery and help create the needed awareness for the sport to grow.
The 5-day capacity building workshop is a collaborative effort between the NIGERIA ARCHERY FEDERATION and THE DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS.
The programs run through 10th February 2020-14th February 2020.
