Nestle Nigeria will launch the Nestlé/IAAF Kid’s Athletics Programme, in partnership with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), in Lagos on July 25.
The programme, aimed at promoting the development of athletics in schools for children between ages 6 to 12, was created in 2005 by the International Associations of Athletics Federation (IAAF).
Nestlé became the programme’s main sponsor worldwide in 2012 and its support for the Kids’ Athletics complements Nestle’s Healthy Kids initiative, which 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.
Isabella Akinseye, the Public Affairs Officer, Nestle Nigeria PLC said the maiden edition of the programme will be flagged-off by the Nigerian Minister of Youth and Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi at the Opebi Model Primary School in Ikeja.
“Nestlé is set to launch its Kids’ Athletics programme in Nigeria,” said Akinseye in a statement.
“This initiative aims to encourage school-age-children to develop positive physical, health and social skills by engaging in sporting activities. We are partners with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and support one of the organisation’s flagship projects – Kids’ Athletics – through its ‘Nestlé Healthy Kids’ programme.”
“The programme is being implemented in partnership with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), which has been promoting the development of athletics in schools,” Akinseye stated.
Managing Director of Nestlé Nigeria, Dharnesh Gordhon, added:
“We are pleased to provide financial support for the further development of IAAF Kids’ Athletics programme.
“Beyond supporting the IAAF’s Kids Athletics programme, we believe that this partnership will further enhance Nestlé’s Healthy Kids programme in Nigeria.
“The aim was improving the Nutrition, Health and Wellness of school-age-children through better eating and greater physical activity.”
The IAAF / Nestlé Kids’ Athletics is one of the biggest grassroots development programmes in the world of sports and it is supported by numerous global sport icons.
