Guardian

AFRICA’S richest man, Aliko Dangote, and Globacom Chairman, Mike Adenuga, are among the philanthropists, who will on June 19 help the Rowing, Canoeing and Sailing Federation in its search for funds during its summit and fund-raising in Abuja.

The federation, which said yesterday that the summit would help create awareness for the dwindling sports in the country, as well as attract young stars from the grassroots to the three sports, said the events have begun to gain recognition in Nigeria following its exploits at both the last All African Games in Maputo and the London 2012 Olympic Games.

President of the Federation, which was concessioned to the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Festus Porbeni (Rtd.), said the federation decided to solicit for funds from the Nigerian public and stakeholders because of the board’s resolve to reposition the sports to add to Nigeria’s medal strength in international competitions.

He added that the board wants to improve on the performance of its athletes at both the All Africa Games and Commonwealth Games respectively.

Porbeni revealed that the theme of the event is “Digging The Sporting Treasures in Our Waters,” adding that the summit and fund raising, which would be chaired by General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), would be heralded by a demonstration event at the Jabi Lake in the FCT.

“You will recall that with the return of Nigeria’s Olympics team from a dismal performance at the last games in London, the President and Commander-in-Chief at a Presidential Retreat on Sports, charged federations to commence preparations towards the 2016 Olympics Games, which is scheduled for Brazil, with a marching order to win at least six gold medals.

“Also on assumption of office, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, re-echoed the charge to the Navy Sports Community to ensure that some of those medals should come from water sports.

“Consequently, the board of Rowing, Canoeing and Sailing Federation went to work and developed a framework that outlines its plans to capture some medals for the country at Rio 2016 Olympics Games. Part of the strategy to win the medals is the forthcoming summit and fund raising dinner,” Porbeni said.