As
part of its commitment to Nutrition, Health and Wellness, Nestlé became the
main sponsor of the International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF)
Kids Athletics programme, which is one of the biggest grassroots development
programmes in the world of sports.
The
initiative aims to encourage school-age-children to develop positive physical,
health and social skills by engaging in sporting activities while, at the same
time, enhancing the development of future athletes.
On Thursday, July 25, 2013, thousands of Nigerian primary school pupils thus became the first beneficiaries of the progamme in Central and West Africa, effecting a landmark investment in sports development, nutrition education and physical activity towards better health in the most populous African nation.
The
programme, which is expected to reach over 200,000 primary school pupils in the
country beginning July 2013 until September 2014, comprises competitive
athletic events to be organized among primary schools in Ibadan, Ilorin,
Owerri, Kano, Asaba and Gombe.
The
official event got underway at the Opebi Model Primary School in Lagos. It was
attended by more than 400 school kids, federal and state officials, as well as
a former national sports icon, Yussuf Ali, who has held the national record in
long jump since the 1980s.
Nestlé
is also providing financial support for IAAF to train athletics coaches and
lecturers with the aim of eventually reaching a larger number of children in
existing or new markets.
Nestlé’s
support for Kids’ Athletics complements the Nestlé Healthy Kids Global
Programme launched in Nigeria in 2011 and reaches more than 15,000 children in
Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states between 6 and 12 years old.
The
programme is being implemented in partnership with the Athletics Federation of
Nigeria (AFN), which has been promoting the development of athletics in
schools.
Managing
Director of Nestlé Nigeria, Dharnesh Gordhon stated: “Nestlé is pleased to
provide financial support for the further development of IAAF Kids’ Athletics
programme”.
He
added: “Beyond supporting IAAF’s Kids Athletics programme, we believe that this
partnership will further enhance Nestlé Healthy Kids Global Programme and
improve the Nutrition, Health and Wellness of school-age-children”.
President
of AFN, Solomon Ogba, said Nestlé’s expertise in Nutrition, Health and Wellness
will not only help promote a balanced and healthy lifestyle for children, but
also augment development of athletics in Nigeria.
President
of the Nigerian School Sports Federation (NSSF), Mallam Ibrahim Muhammed, said
athletics used to be the number one sports in the country and it was seen as
dignity among students to run for one’s school.
He
was hopeful that the Nestlé/ IAAF will bring back the “run” experience to our
schools, raising a total healthy kid: “It is our belief that this project will
encourage the average child to run jump, hop, throw, clap and smile”.
Subsequent
to the Nigerian launch, the programme is expected to be rolled out in other
countries in Central and West Africa with Ghana being the next.
Dr Samuel Adenekan
Corporate Communications and Public
Affairs, Nestlé Nigeria Plc
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