Head coach of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Solomon Aliyu is staying calm, as the ongoing Niger Delta Games is keeping some invited athletes out of the country’s preparation camp for this year’s Commonwealth Games.
Sports247 reports that Aliyu is staying optimistic that the athletes who are yet to report at the national track and field camp will meet up adequately after competing at the ongoing sub-regional competition.
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Correlatively, at the end of two weeks in the first phase of preparations, Aliyu said he is satisfied with the progress that has been achieved, as the coaches and athletes stepped up their initial six-week camping schedule at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
Aliyu, who expressed satisfaction with the first phase of preparations so far, also revealed that the AFN devised a scheme that ensures all the invited athletes maintain total focus in their build-up activities.
“We don’t want to be distracted. So far, so good. The camp is in three phases, and this is the first phase of our preparation process,” the coach said.
Chairman of the AFN’s media community, Maxwell Kumoye also disclosed in a press statement that week two of the first phase saw the coaches shift focus from general conditioning to event-specific drills.
Kumoye revealed further that sprinters, jumpers, throwers and hurdlers intensify their routines during morning sessions, which are dedicated to endurance and strength work, while evenings are for technical refinement and speed training.
While pointing out that the six-week programme of the first phase is designed to lay a solid foundation ahead of transitions into intense competitive simulations and international exposure, Kumoye added that responses from the athletes have been encouraging.
On his part, Coach Aliyu noted that Asaba has mild weather that is conducive for the training activities and chippwd in that the facilities are world-class.
He added that the first phase is being used in laying the foundation for what is expected to be a comprehensive and competitive preparation programme heading into the last lap of Nigeria’s build-up to the forthcoming competition.
Although he also acknowledged that some of the invited athletes are yet to report to camp, Aliyu pointed out that their absences are due to commitments with various states at the ongoing sub-regional sports spectacle.
“We are expecting more to join the camp after the Niger Delta Games. Some of the athletes called to camp are taking part in the Niger Delta Games. So, after the NDDC Games, we will have a full camp.
“The spirit in camp is very high. The quality of accommodation is good and the quality of training is top notch. The feeding is good and there is no negative feedback,” Aliyu submitted.
Sports247 gathered further that top shots at the AFN are confident that the phased camping in Asaba will help Nigeria’s athletes get a well-organised and properly planned build-up to this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
