Former Nigerian decathlete Christian Aiyegbeni has been honoured by the Saudi Arabian sports authorities for producing an athlete who would represent the country in 2018 world junior event.
Aiyegbeni was on Friday awarded a medal and a certificate of honour from the Ministry of Youths and Sports, Jizan Chapter, Saudi Arabia.
Aiyegbeni, who coaches Track and Field at the Yarmouk Sports Club in Abu Arish, Jizan, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he was grateful for the recognition.
He added that he was happy to have produced the fastest junior sprinter, Abdul Murzuk, who would represent Saudi Arabia at the forthcoming World Junior Championships.
NAN reports that the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World U20 Championship is scheduled for Tampere, Finland in July 2018.
“My club came overall first in the state of Jizan; it will represent the state at the national level where every state in Saudi Arabia will meet and compete.
“I am very happy that I was recognised for producing the fastest junior sprinter to represent Saudi Arabia at the forthcoming World Junior Championships.
“I’m grateful to God for granting me the divine favour to be recognised by another country. It shows that they appreciate my little contribution to their sports development,’’ he said.
Aiyegbeni urged Nigerian sports administrators to emulate other countries in rewarding outstanding coaches, adding that it would encourage them to do more.
“Coaches in Nigeria should be openly recognised, honoured and rewarded as I have experienced it in Saudi Arabia. Such acts will spur coaches to put in their best,’’ he said.
THE NATION
