Nigeria missing again as Kenya wins Kids’ Athletics Day Member Federation Relay Around the World Challenge

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, was not one of the 120 participating Member Federations that took part in the World Athletics’ Kids’ Athletics Day challenge which saw Athletics Kenya selected as the winning Member Federation after contributing almost a quarter of the participants in the ‘Relay Around the World’.

More than 600,000 children across all six continental areas participated in over 1200 activations to promote Kids’ Athletics Day – a global day dedicated to celebrating children and young people being active by participating in athletics.

But the AFN, more interested in claiming glory for athletes who individually secured scholarships to study and run in the USA, denied Nigerian kids the opportunity to get inspired and take to the sport of track and field.

Tonobok Okowa, president of the AFN, claimed in an interview one of his greatest achievements of his four years at the helm of affairs is to have ‘ helped a good number of athletes to secure scholarships and admission into American Colleges and Universities.’

‘What we are doing in the Federation right now is critical to the success we all yearn for in athletics and Nigerian sports in general. We have laid a solid foundation through our ‘GET OUR ATHLETES IN SCHOOL’ program.

‘The ‘GET OUR ATHLETES IN SCHOOL’ program has helped a good number of athletes to secure scholarships and admission into American Colleges and Universities, and they have been combining their academics with sports seamlessly,’ Okowa was quoted as saying in a number of online reports,’ Okowa was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, World Athletics has revealed ‘Member Federations were encouraged to participate in the Relay Around the World Challenge, with the organiser of the best activations – measured by a combination of participation rates, social media engagement levels and overall innovation – receiving the prize of a US$10,000 award to be used to promote and activate Kids’ Athletics (or an equivalent youth activity) in their country.

‘Of the 120 participating Member Federations, Kenya emerged on top. Six hundred coaches, teachers and volunteers from schools and clubs from multiple counties across the country organised Kids’ Athletics Day relay events, reaching more than 140,500 children.

‘With an additional focus on sustainability, kids across Kenya planted trees as a way of promoting a conducive sporting environment and mitigating effects of climate change.

‘Most activations also used or created equipment from sustainable and recyclable sources. For example, batons were made from cardboard, and hurdles were made from hay bales and grass stacks. Athletics Kenya was able to reach so many children thanks to partnerships with County Governments and the Ministry of Education,’ said World Athletics

‘We’re delighted to be named the winner of the Kids’ Athletics Day Member Federation Challenge. With the support of our nationally trained Kids’ Athletics instructors, Athletics Kenya mobilised thousands of children through schools and community partnerships, offering children opportunities to engage in structured athletics, promoting physical development, teamwork and a spirit of fun.

‘The Kids’ Athletics programme in Kenya has become a cornerstone of our grassroots development strategy, playing a vital role in talent identification and instilling a lifelong appreciation for sport and healthy living,’ Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei told World Athletics website.

Costa Rica and Norway were named runners-up, each receiving US$5,000 to support Kids’ Athletics in their countries. Costa Rica celebrated with nationwide relays, engaging more than 106,000 children. In almost one day, Norway hosted a school relay across the whole country, reaching more than 98,000 children.

Kids’ Athletics Day is the cornerstone of World Athletics’ grassroots participation programme, Kids’ Athletics. It aims to inspire children globally to be active, develop skills and confidence, and connect with sport for life.

Member Federations, clubs and schools are encouraged to join the Kids’ Athletics programme year-round.