KINGSLEY EBERE
The influence of Nigeria has been strengthened in Modern Pentathlon Governance on the African Continent following the election of Dr Jonathan Nnaji as the Vice President of Confederation of Africa Pentathlon Modern (CAPM) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the Union International Pentathlon Modern (UIPM).
P.M.EXPRESS reports that Dr Nnaji contested with five other candidates from five other Africa countries, namely Cote d’Ivoire, Algeria, Central African Republic, Morocco and Namibia and he eventually won the keenly contested election.
This position offers a strategic opportunity to influence how the sport is governed across Africa. It will attract the much-needed resources such as equipment, championships, coaching and referee courses and grants for athletics.
The election has now made Nigeria to be ranked second in the decision-making hierarchy for African modern pentathlon, which is expected to bring significant opportunities for the sport’s growth in the country
Nigeria Modern Pentathlon was established in 2012 and Dr Nnaji was elected as the president. In 2017, Nigeria Modern Pentathlon Federation was chosen to host youths Olympic qualification and African senior Champions, which took place in Lagos.
During the competition, 22 African countries were in attendance, and Nigeria came second on the African championship. And within this period, Nigeria has hosted four International Lazer runs and two international referees courses.
Modern Pentathlon is five sports disciplines in one including athletics, swimming, shooting, fencing, and horse obstacle riding.
Dr. Jonathan Nnaji has served Nigeria in different capacities in sports. He is the current vice president African Taekwondo Union and Chairman Member Relations of AFTU. Nnaji is the former Nigeria Taekwondo Federation president and two-time 1st vice President Nigeria Olympic Committee. He was also Chairman Olypafrica project and Former Nigeria middle weight Teakwondo Champion. Nnaji is a 7th degree world black belt holder.
It is good to note that Nigeria Modern Pentathlon Federation is the only Nigerian sporting Federation that has hosted Olympic qualification in Nigeria, be it in the senior or junior cadre in the history of Sports Federations.
Nnaji, who was in the company of Hon. Bappa Misau Aliu, a serving member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives and a board member, as elected, will be playing a prominent role in sports both in Nigeria and Africa.