A judoka from Ekiti, Blessing Agu, has been invited to the national camp in preparation for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games slated for Birmingham in the UK.
The General Manager of Ekiti Sports Council, Kunle Adeyemi, told newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday that Agu’s invitation followed her performance at the Commonwealth Games trial in Lagos.
He said the judoka won four consecutive fights at the trials before losing the final one to her counterpart from Bayelsa.
Adeyemi added that both finalists were subsequently invited to camp, where only one of them is expected to qualify for the Commonwealth Games.
“I also commend the state judo coach, Akinwale Morakinyo, for his effort in
grooming athletes and the level of success recorded so far under his tutelage.”
He expressed optimism that the state would continue to make waves in the sports sector.
The Council General Manager said: “We are very excited at the future of sports in our state and we are very optimistic that our athletes would be back and better next time.
”This optimism is shared by all judo stakeholders in Ekiti. Therefore, I will not relent until greatness is achieved in the sport.”
He also disclosed that another athlete from the state, Blessing Ejim, has been invited to the open camp organised by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) in Benin City.
Adeyemi described the athlete as “an all-rounder” in the state’s under-17 female cricket team.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the national cricket team camp was set up in preparation for the NCF International Women’s Invitational T20I.
The invitational is scheduled for between March 26 and April 6 in Lagos.
Adeyemi said Ejim who is already in camp was invited following her impressive performances at recent competitions in the South-West geo-political zone, especially the just-concluded Under-17 Championship.
“This player is one of the 36 ladies invited to the open camp in Benin City,” he said.