Festus Porbeni, President of Nigeria Rowing, Canoe and Sailing Federation, has decried the “unnecessary” delay of the boats meant for the 1st Olympic Qualifying tournament in the country at the ports.
Sharpedgenews. reports that the 1st Canoe Olympic Qualifier is scheduled to hold from Wednesday, Nov. 22 to Sunday, Nov. 26 in Abuja with 16 African countries expected to participate.
Porbeni told newsmen that the boats which are expected to be used for the tournament were yet to arrive in Abuja as they have been unduly held by officers of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
“As I speak to you, our equipment are still being held up at the ports, even though the Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs has instructed them to be released to us.
“The boats were brought down for inspection and have been laying there in the ports since Friday. Here we are, we have no boats for a tournament expected to start on Wednesday.
“This is despite the fact that the International Canoe Federation chose to give them to us free of charge to use for the tournament.”
He also recalled how some boats earlier sent by the International Canoe Federation were also held at the Nigerian ports for 11 years before he came on board as the president of the federation.
He noted that the non-availability of boats for the federation’s athletes to practice had to a large extent hampered the growth and development of the sports in the country.
“Before I came on board, in all the international competitions we participated in Tunisia and other countries, we were always finishing in the last position because we had no boats.
“Our athletes were only being taught the theoretical part of the sport without the equipment to practice.
“I was very upset about the situation and had to come to the country and insisted that the boats must be released to us.
“We rallied round and met with the relevant authorities, including Customs and had to pay a demurrage of about N1 million before the boats were finally released to us.” he said.
He noted that it was only when the boats were released that the federation began to record some successes.
He said the athletes who represented the country afterwards won a silver medal in Maputo, followed by four gold medals in Rabat.
“So, you can see that the talents abound in the country but without the necessary equipment and facilities to practice we cannot make progress.
“How can a container full of boats given to you free of charge still be lying at the ports up till now for God’s sake?
“The Minister of Sports, the CG Customs as well as the Minister of Finance have all been pleading on our behalf,” he said.
He also called on all well-meaning individuals, philanthropists as well as private and corporate organisations to come on board and help sponsor the event, adding that government cannot do it alone.
The President, Confederation of Africa Canoe, Joao Afonso, said a total of six events were to be competed for by the 16 participating countries.
He added that only the gold medalists from each of the events would qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
“The participating countries include: hosts Nigeria, Algeria, Angola, Djibouti, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, São Tomé, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda.
“They will be competing in the 100m, 200m, 500m, 1000m in Canoe and Kayak events,” he said.
Esti Olivier, an athlete from South Africa, said she was looking forward to a qualitative and highly competitive tournament as well as enjoying a wonderful experience in the country.
“It is my first time here in Nigeria and I hope to enjoy my experience here in the capital city as well as ensure I compete at my highest level.
“My goal is to finish tops in all my events and represent my country, South Africa at the 2024 Olympic games in Paris,” she said.