Nigeria Athlete: We need Exposure, Encouragement to perform.

[soothsayer]

Nigeria: We Need Exposure, Encouragement to Perform Better - Nigerian Athletes
(source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201208060531.html & Dailytrust )

Two Nigerian athletes have said that exposure and encouragement by sports authorities are crucial for Nigerian athletes to excel at international sporting events.

Omolara Omotosho and Regina George, two of Team Nigeria's athletes at the ongoing London Olympic gave the advice in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The athletes spoke after they lost out in the women's 400 metres semi-finals of the Games, after posting encouraging performances a day earlier.

"We want more exposure and encouragement. That is something that will help more Nigerian athletes and it will help us to do better at international competitions," 19-year-old Omotosho stated.

Omotosho who returned from a two-year doping suspension before going on to represent Nigeria at the All-Africa Games in 2011 said that Nigerian athletes needed help.

"It is glaring that we can do better with more exposure and I will implore the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the others to do something in this regard," she said.

George agreed with Omotosho's submissions, saying she was hopeful of getting more support to be able to appear in future international meets.

Interesting, I believe that unless the athlete has star quality training partners, they will find it difficult to grade their improvement and abilities except if they compete regularly in world sporting events. Its one thing training by your self, its another doing it in competitive environment. Our sportsmen & women need more exposure, and competition against top quality, they need constant encouragement and sometimes criticism to keep them focused and on their toes.