Nigeria Targets Archery Debut At 2024 Olympics

SUNDAY AKINTOYE

Newly-elected 2nd vice President of Nigeria Archery Federation, Mike Egbayelo has pledged his commitment to ensure Nigeria becomes a force in the sport in Africa.

In a chat with journalists, he said the country will also be aiming to rub shoulders with the best countries in the world by way of debuting at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.

Egbayelo, who defeated incumbent Ayo Phillips to also emerge as the South-West representative on the board recently held poll in Abuja said various plans have been tailored for the phenomenal rise of the sport in Nigeria.

“Last year, we launched the Strategic Action Plan for Archery in Lagos in line with the theme agenda of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to make the sport a driving force of development and empowerment of the grassroots and I am happy today that there has been rise in the popularity and growth of the sport in Lagos and Nigeria as a country. As it stands Archery is the fastest growing sport in Lagos with the establishment of 25 clubs in just one year, “ he said.

Egbayelo said the federation has started preparation for 2024 Olympics with the series of programmes line up in the next four years.

We want to starts preparing for the future international competitions which of course 2024 Olympics is parts of it. The same template would use in Lagos would be adopted and develop the sport across Nigeria and we are sure that it will help us achieve our ultimate goals which is to be a leading force in Africa and also to compete with the best at major international tournaments particularly at the 2024 Olympics.

As at the start of March, there are 33 more places to be filled for Archery at the forthcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics but Egbayelo, who is also the vice chairman of Lagos Archery, said it would be wise to plan for the one in four year’s time.