Collins advocates policy of inclusion in All- Nigeria trials

One of the presidential aspirants eager to preside over the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has promised to bring back the inclusion of athletes of all categories from  Kano, Zamfara, Sokoto, Taraba, Abia, Oyo states etc,  in the All-Nigeria track&field trials if she wins the June 13th elections in Abuja.
Rosa Collins, former triple jump queen gave this assurance in a recent chat in Lagos.
She regretted that back in the days All Nigeria athletics trials used to be a celebration, carnival, tourism, discovery and qualification for most athletes from different parts of the country.
“These days, I discovered that we don’t reckon with our junior and promising athletes during  our national trials because of standards, this is wrong”
Collins averred that in her active days in track and field a little girl from Kebbi state was arrayed on the same track with her,  “after the race, the little girl approached me for my autograph and l obliged, she also got a T-shirt from me.”
I’m saying this because national trials is not for a few athletes,  while majority are disqualified owing to standards. Athletes that would represent Nigeria at the world championships and Olympic Games don’t have to impress us anymore, they are already known, but give the new ones the opportunity to also catch the fun in national trials. It makes everyone happy, encourage them to train more and also puts some money in their pockets, she said.
If elected on June 13, the Abuja based business woman intends  to alter the scope of competitions  to accommodate sponsors who are not comfortable with the current trends where a few states attend All Nigeria trials..
In all IAAF competitions, some athletes do place last, why should we disqualify ours based on the fact that they are either too slow or can’t make the standards, she queried.
She promised that if she picks the AFN top job, the board has to provide competitions that would keep athletes busy and also give them the opportunity to make money through their talents.
According to her, athletes and coaches welfare will be top priority, high quality training for coaches both home and abroad will be encouraged. Partnership with other athletics federations across the globe on technical and other matters will be pursued.
As one of the candidates from Delta State running for the AFN presidency, she expects that all hands should be on deck for a regime that would further enhance sports in the state and all parts of the county. She thanked athletics stakeholders for given her the opportunity to run for the position.