Pentathlon: Ogboro assures on Youth Olympic Games Qualifier

The Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the 2018 Modern Pentathlon Union Youth Olympic Games qualifier and the Senior African Championship holding simultaneously from December 4-11, 2017 in Lagos, Chief Francis Ogboro, has revealed the preparedness of Nigeria to host a befitting championship.

Speaking exclusively to the Extra Time in his office in Lagos on Monday, the Nigeria Polo Federation President said all hands are on deck by the LOC to host a memorable event.

“I was very delighted when the hosting right for the Youth Olympic Games qualifier and the Senior African Championship was given to Nigeria and having been appointed as the Chairman of the LOC of this great event I saw it as a sacrifice to put Nigeria’s name on world’s map in the pentathlon event.

“I also saw it as a great honour to serve my nation with my wealth of experience in sports administration and since the formation of the various committees of the LOC we all have been working round the clock to meet our various targets,” he began.

With barely two months to the event, Ogboro further stated that there was no cause for alarm in meeting the financial target of N75m needed to stage the event.

“The LOC is aware that the sum of N75m is needed to stage the event successfully and I’m using all my connection in the corporate world with assurances from them that they will surely support us and also partner with us in this regard.

Ogboro who is also a philanthropist, reformer and transformer of talents hinted that his LOC also went a step further by appointing two reputable and well-tested marketing consultants that would ensure that the N75million required to successfully host the week-long global and continental event is realized.

“However, with the assistance of well-tested marketing consultants we appointed, they will actualize the said target of N75m before the commencement of the event. I have no fears regarding funding,” he stated.

Ogboro also confirmed that the Security Committee are doing a great job with its plan to give a water-tight cum maximum security to all the participants who will be coming from various countries to take part in the event.

Meanwhile, Extra Time gathered that a total of 22 countries are coming for the event that would be happening in the continent for the first time, as Africa has never hosted such an event before.

Modern Pentathlon consists of four sports namely, athletics, fencing, Polo and Shooting sports.