Team Nigeria departs for Africa youth championships in Morocco

Nigeria's representatives to the 2010 Africa Youth Championships in Morocco from July 14-18, departed Lagos on Wednesday.

The contingent, comprising boxing, taekwondo, table tennis, weightlifting and wrestling athletes and their officials are being sponsored by the National Sports Commission (NSC).

They were led to the Games, organized by the Africa National Olympic Committees Association (ANOCA), by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Secretary General Banji Oladapo.

Spokesman for the NOC Tony Nezianya told reporters that the Committee ensured that the contingent participated in the championships because it would help in preparing the athletes for future international tournaments.

Segun Oguntade, Secretary of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), said the athletes were selected based on their performances in previous local and international competitions.

"In table tennis, the players have been exceptional and they have had exposures through their participation in international tournaments. I am optimistic they will do well," he said.

Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) Secretary, Patrick Uwagbale told reporters the boxers had been in camp in Benin preparing for the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in October.

"I am sure that with their level of training at the Commonwealth Games camp they will excel but basically, they will gain more exposure in Morocco," he added.

"Exposure and experience are the rudiments for outstanding performance and the competition is coming at the right time to put them in proper shape for the Commonwealth Games," the boxing official said.

Source: Xinhua