Modern Pentathlon Federation shops for N75 million to host Youth Olympics African qualifier

For the first time in Africa, Nigeria will host 25 countries in December in the maiden edition of the Pentathlon Youth Olympics African qualifier and the Senior African Championship.

The two-in-one competition billed for December 4 to 11 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, will require the sum of N75 million, according to the President of Nigeria Modern Pentathlon Federation, Dr. Jonathan Nnaji.

Speaking while unveiling the marketing consultants for the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the event yesterday in Lagos, Nnaji said the LOC has taken the event to the corporate domain for their support and partnership, adding that two marketing firms, MesserAudio Visual Campaigns Limited and Sound Meknitz Limited, have been chosen to act on behalf of the LOC to negotiate with would-be-sponsors and partners for the qualifiers. The unveiling ceremony took place at the boardroom of the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) in Lagos.

Nnaji also hinted that the LOC has written officially to Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode for the use of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, adding that discussion was ongoing with the state for its designation as the official host state.

“The LOC has also constituted seven sub-committees namely Technical, Venue and Facilities, Protocol and Logistics, Security, Finance and Marketing, Media and Publicity and Medical. The LOC, since inauguration, has met three times and agreed that it should be chaired by the President of Nigeria Polo Federation, Chief Francis Ogboro. The LOC consists of 15 members (five sports presidents, board members and other stakeholders),” he stated.

Four events will be competed for in the Pentathlon Youth Olympics African qualifier. They are swimming, fencing, shooting and track and field. “But there will be five events for the Senior African Championship with the inclusion of horse riding,” Nnaji stated.

The Executive Director, Strategy of Sound Meknitz Limited, Dave Baron Thomas, as well as the Managing Director of MesserAudio Visual Campaigns Limited Mr. Ben Okeke promised yesterday that their firms would do everything possible to meet the yearnings of the LOC by ensuring that the N75 million is secured for the smooth operation of the African youth qualifiers and senior championship.

Nigeria, being the host of the African qualifiers, has automatically qualified for the World Youth Olympics Games taking place in Argentina next year.