Buratai Bails Out Team Nigeria, As World Cross Country Tourney Begins In Uganda

Nigeria will be among the participating teams at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships beginning in Kampala, Uganda this weekend all thanks to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai who has offered to sponsor the country’s contingent.

The Nigeria contingent which is being led by the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, Solomon Ogba has 10 athletes, five males and five females on its roster.

Buratai aside offsetting the traveling expenses of Team Nigeria to Uganda will also be paying the country’s representatives bonuses and allowances all targeted at motivating them to be at their best in Uganda having only lost the African edition narrowly in Cameroon.

Speaking on the gesture by the Army Chief, Ogba asserted that Buratai has been a pillar behind sports especially athletics where his contributions have seen the army soaring in sporting circles in Nigeria and beyond.

“I must say we are very grateful to the Chief of Army Staff for his immense support all round and more importantly to the long-distance runners,” Ogba said.

“We are very happy that Nigeria will be represented in Uganda and I can also assure all that beyond attending the world cross country championships, we as a federation will do all to resuscitate this culture in Nigeria. Even beyond the federation, we want our schools to imbibe this culture of cross country because it is actually a healthy habit,” he added.

The IAAF World Cross Country Championship will be held between 24 -26 March, 2017 in Kampala, Uganda.

Nigeria will present 10 athletes and 6 officials; namely Sanusi Hausamatu, Rose Lange, Obilor lorine, Naomi Yunana, Narinet Raymond, Manga Mohammed, Hanna Adewale, Danjuma Stephen Daylop.

Others are Gyang Dahiru, Ayuba, Awal gochin, Amos Unity, Adebayo Oloruntoba, Abubakar Ahmadu and Utman Olatoye.