Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Solomon Ogba, would on July 25 in Lagos, launch the Nestle Kids’ Athletics programme.
Nestlé is a partner of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and supports one of the organisation’s flagship projects – Kids’ Athletics – through its ‘Nestlé Healthy Kids’ programme.
The initiative, according to Nestle, is aimed at encouraging school-age-children to develop positive, physical, health and social skills by engaging in sporting activities while at the same time enhancing the development of future athletes in that country.
The maiden event is scheduled to hold at the Opebi Model Primary School.
The programme, it was gathered, is being implemented in partnership with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), which has been promoting the development of athletics in schools.
Announcing the deal, managing director of Nestlé Nigeria, Dharnesh Gordhon stated: “Nestlé is pleased to provide financial support for the further development of IAAF Kids’ Athletics programme. Beyond supporting IAAF’s Kids Athletics programme, we believe that this partnership will further enhance Nestlé Healthy Kids programme in Nigeria, which has as its aim improving the nutrition, health and wellness of school-age-children through better eating and greater physical activity”.
President of AFN, Solomon Ogba said Nestlé’s expertise in nutrition; health and wellness will not only help promote a balanced and healthy lifestyle for children, but also augment development of athletics in Nigeria.
Nestlé’s support for the Kids’ Athletics complements the company’s Healthy Kids Programme. The Nestlé Healthy Kids initiative was launched in Nigeria in 2011 and reaches more than 15,000 children between 6 and 12 years old in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states.