The rowing community extends to Nigeria

British Rowing’s Sallie Malt and UK Sport’s Clare Barrell and Elias Musangeya scope potential rowing opportunities in Nigeria

In late April, Sallie Malt visited Abuja, Nigeria as part of her work for both FISA, the international rowing federation and for British Rowing on expanding rowing to communities that otherwise wouldn’t be able to access rowing, namely in African countries.

On this occasion, Sallie was accompanied by Clare Barrell and Elias Musangeya to explore the potential for investment in support for rowing as part of UK Sport’s International Partnership Programme. Sallie ran a Rowing Leaders workshop to help identify and support individuals to safely deliver rowing sessions and develop their own ability to self-evaluate and action plan. Sallie is an experienced coaching educator and is one of a number of British Rowing coach educators successfully developing coaches and supporting rowing activity across many countries in East and Southern Africa, and beyond.

As part of the scoping visit, as well as viewing potential rowing venues, the delegation were received by several key stakeholders including the Nigerian Olympic Committee, the Hon. Minister of Youth and Sport, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA.) The stakeholders provided valuable information about the sporting landscape and the potential to support the growth of rowing in Nigeria.

The trip proved beneficial and much gratitude was expressed, as can be shown in this letter written by Olubunmi Oluode, Secretary General of Nigeria Rowing Canoe and Sailing Federation:

“On behalf of the Nigeria Rowing Canoe and Sailing Federation athletes, course participants and executive Board Members, I would like to express our profound gratitude towards British Rowing, UK Sport and FISA for the just concluded exercise in Nigeria.

It was indeed the first of its kind and so dynamic, as the three individuals were unique in their own way.  It kicked off with enough publicity and a press conference that involved four television stations, two radio station and six print media publications. Sallie was given two of the newspapers for record purpose.

The visit to the University of Lagos Lagoon Front with the team has also brought the Nigerian Federation up to speed, as the University has again invited the Federation to share more information. It is also worthy of note that the meeting the team had with the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports will no doubt yield positive response.

We therefore look forward to seeing more of our DEAR Sallie Malt in October for the second phase of the technical course, also thanks to Clare, the very smart and intelligent woman and of course Dr Elias who has coordinated the affair with a touch of professionalism.

Once again, I say a big thank to the “three man team” and all the solid people that are the back bone of the program.”