The just concluded 19th National Sports Festival (NSF) held in Abuja produced 59 new national records as participating athletes shattered old ones.
Disclosing this at a post NSF address in Abuja yesterday, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Olusade Adesola, said 42 of the new records set were in weightlifting while 15 were broken in swimming and two in para-powerlifting.
Adesola, who expressed excitement that many budding talents discovered at the games will go on to represent the country in international competitions, said a 20 year old national record in swimming was also shattered broken during the festival.
“In table tennis mixed double, the duo of Segun Toriola and Funke Oshonaike were upset by Team Oyo represented by the duo of Ajala Funmilayo and Taofeeq Maya.
“In the same sport, females single, 19 year old Nimota Aregbesola upset the one time African champion 4-3 in the quarter-finals,” he noted.
Adesola, who was Chairman of the Main Organising Committee of the Festival, said 84 athletes were tested by the anti-doping unit of the ministry during the Festival that featured 517 events in 39 sports.
“In accordance with the commitment of the Ministry to ensuring a dope-free festival and in line with international best practices in sporting events, a random selection of athletes, particularly those who posted record breaking performances were tested.
“Accordingly, a total of 84 athletes were tested by the Anti-Doping Unit of the Ministry. The samples collected would be transmitted to our partner accredited World Anti-Doping Agencies Laboratory in Doha, Qatar for necessary analysis,” he said.
Adesola further urged state governments to toe the same line as Delta and Kano states who appreciated their athletes who were victorious in their events.
