FG urged to recognise skating as sport and crime burster
FG urged to recognise skating as sport and crime burster
By Akon Eddy
Federal Government has been urged to give recognition to Inline Skating sport in Nigeria as well as having it adequately equipped.
President, Tungar Rollers Skating Club, Abuja, Ishiaku Salihu Na’Anabi, made the call at the national conference of Coalition of Nigeria Roller Sport States in the 36 states of the federation including Abuja, in Kaduna on Sunday.
Na’Anabi said besides being a sporting event, skating can be used by security agencies to comb and track criminals in the nooks and crannies where they have their hide outs.
Na’Anabi explained that skating could be used as a mini transport system to aid the security agencies dislodge criminal activities in dissolute areas of the towns and villages where no mode of transport can be accessed.
Earlier, the representative of Kaduna state Sky Skaters’ Club, Miss Nafisat Lawal Sambo, had informed that the organization have challenges such as lack of proper management and modern vision, as well as training materials and ground.
Miss Sambo observed that despite the long period of administration of the Roller Skating Association of Nigeria (RSAN), and the Nigeria Roller Sports Federation, NRSF, with international bodies, Federation International de Roller Sport and Local Olympic Committee, nothing significant has surfaced in the governing, promoting and increasing popularity of the outfit.
“We couldn’t participate in any local events organized by them not to talk of international one or even lead to a skating workshop.
“It is clear that we will never be able to identify the best athletes using only traditional methods. There is need for mechanical assistance, thwarting all grudges to ascend to the next level of development.
“The ability to accomplish tasks, work together and adopt international standard skills would be obvious in the country if the profound value of the sport is recognized,” she said.
The international Gold medalist, 2015 Inline speed Skating World Championship in Las Vegas, USA, Mr. Yemi Oladipo, while speaking to the media, said his love for skating spur him to sponsor himself to the world championship last year.
Mr. Yemi Oladipo who is a student of the University of Abuja, and also a fashion designer said further that there are talented skaters in Nigeria that could compete favourably with their foreign counterparts but are denied due to lack of funds or sponsorship.
“I was able to travel to Las Vegas for the championship through funds realized from my fashion design business.
“There are talented speed skaters in Nigeria, but can not participate in the international arena for lack of funds or sponsorship,” Oladipo said.
Presently, there are about 226 registered member skaters although there are about a million in the country with about 5,000 members per state.
Posted from GoBroadsheet