A former President, Olusegun Obasanjo and other top Nigerians are expected to grace the N6 billion sports development launch planned by Atlanta ‘96 Olympic gold medallist, Chioma Ajunwa-Opara. The event will hold on October 8 at the Museum Centre, Lagos.
Speaking on the event, Ajunwa, who is Nigeria’s first and only individual gold medalist at the Olympic Games, said yesterday in Lagos that the proceeds of the launch would be used to build a sports development project in Owerri, Imo State.
The Atlanta ‘96 long jump gold medalist, who is still celebrating the 25th anniversary of that rare achievement, said she is using her foundation to launch the N6 billion ultra-modern Sports Development Centre.
For the project, the Chioma Ajunwa-Opara Foundation is working in conjunction with the Ikukuuoma Foundation.
Ajunwa disclosed that she had personally met with Obasanjo and some top Nigerians, who have in turn promised to be present at the October 8 launch.
She disclosed that the Chioma Ajunwa Foundation has embarked on a massive grassroots hunt for female talents in athletics, football and taekwondo, adding that the project would initially focus on the three sports.
“The Olympics Talent Hunt is for girls between the age of 13 and 17 years in these three sports. I have not seen any ex-international in Nigeria thinking about having his or her sports facilities to enable upcoming athletes to benefit from them.
“We got 45 young athletes in Edo State and 45 in Abia State so far. The talent programme will continue after the launch on October 8.
“Imo State governor gave me a large portion of land measuring about 2.5 hectares of land along Port Harcourt road in Owerri, and we are going to build primary and secondary schools, a radio station and a school of journalism so that athletes will have the opportunity to combine sports and education.
“There will be a 4,000 capacity stadium with tracks, swimming pool, gymnasium and other sporting facilities for the athletes. At the end, Nigerians will be very happy with what we are doing,” she stated.
Director of the Chioma Ajunwa Foundation, former international, Henry Amike, appealed to sports-loving Nigerians, politicians and corporate individuals to support the project.
