456 athletes to represent Nigeria at All Africa Games

No fewer than a 456 Nigerian athletes will leave for the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique in September, according to the Director of Federations and Elite Athletes Department (FEAD), Mr. Al-Hassan Yakmut,

According to Yakmut, who was speaking in Abuja on Monday, 600 athletes and officials have been moved to six different camps in the country to prepare adequately for the tournament which would begin from 3 to 18 September.

``Of the 600 athletes and officials moved to the camp, only 456 will travel for the AAG.

``The athletes and officials have been strategically selected in accordance with availability of training facilities. They have been undergoing training since June 27. In the first phase of the training, all coaches have to work on the athletes based on stamina and fitness. Now, they are into training for tactics and techniques,” he said.

Accordign to him, the training for the final selection of the athletes would be completed this week, with only those selected remaining in camp pending departure to Maputo, Mozambique.

The athletes who would participate in 19 sports, would travel to Germany in August where they will resume training before their departure.

``We have decided through the approval of the authority to allow athletes conclude their preparations in Germany because three quarters of them live outside Nigeria” he explained.