Abeokuta: The President of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Halmad Kalkaba, on Thursday stated that he believed athletes of African descent would dominate track and field worldwide during his tenure.
Kalkaba said this while addressing journalists at the ongoing CAA African U18/U20 Athletics Championships in Abeokuta.
The Cameroonian said that he looked forward to achieving this goal during his tenure as CAA boss.
According to him, African athletes are currently making waves all over the world, but they are not truly dominating the sport.
He, however, noted that the paucity of funds to keep them active on the continent remained one of the challenges.
The CAA president added that there were athletes in Africa who could have attracted funds for the growth and development of track and field, noting that they changed allegiance to other countries soon after being discovered.
” You discover that soon after they are developed, they change allegiance to other countries in Europe, America, and Asia, making it challenging to continue running in and for Africa.
“It is the right of athletes and their federations to decide what and where their athletes should go.
“But we liaise with federations on how to mitigate these moves by thinking out development plans in favour of athletes through collaborations with Asian and Arab countries where most African athletes are competing,” he said.
Regarding the CAA’s collaboration with some Asian nations, Kalkaba noted that a contract was signed in 2017 but could not be implemented.
But he assured that efforts were being directed towards reviving some of the agreements.
“We need Asia and they need Africa, in the area of provision of sponsorship for facility development and more.
“The CAA is anxious to keep African athletes on the continent making money and feeling good,” he said.
Kalkaba appreciated Nigeria for coming to the aid of CAA by accepting to host the 3rd edition of the CAA Athletics Championships and beckoned on others to emulate Nigeria.