THE Nigeria Wushu Kung-Fu Federation (NWKF) has appealed to the National Sports Commission (NSC) to include Wushu as part of the sports for the 11th All Africa Games (AAG).
Michael Oladeinde told Newsmen on Monday in Lagos that the sport had been officially accepted to feature at AAG, billed for September in Congo Brazzaville.
“The International Wushu Federation, executive vice president, Anthony Goh communicated the information to us, which is a laudable development and we want to take the advantage to participate.
“He said that Wushu sport would feature at the AAG in September and 2019 Pan American Games, which caters for 41 countries and territories respectively.
“This is something that we have been clamouring for, to be accepted at such major Games so now that our prayers have been answered, the NSC should support us,’’ he said.
He said that the nation’s participation was vital to explore the country’s medal table at the Games, as no fewer than 100 medals of various categories would be up for grabs.
“There are hosts of brilliant athletes in Nigeria that are enthusiastic to fly the ‘green white green’ in Congo Brazzaville and win laurels in their weight categories,’’ he said.
The technical director noted that Nigeria was about the only country that had the best athletes in Africa, stressing that its participation would boost recognition for the game.
“So if Nigeria includes Wushu among the games it registered, it should expect the highest number of unprecedented gold medals from Wushu,’’ he said.
According to him, it will avail the technical arm of the federation to showcase their expertise in the area of quality athletes.
Oladeinde expressed confidence that Wushu athletes, that have been lost to kick boxing,would now have hope of aspiring to greater height through their own sport.