The newly sworn-in First Vice President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Abubakar Ladan Zurmi, has pledged that the new leadership of the Federation will focus on discovering athletic talents at the grassroots level.

Zurmi made this known on Friday while speaking with journalists in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

He said the new executive committee is committed to organizing various competitions aimed at identifying and nurturing young athletes from primary and secondary schools across the country.

“We will engage in talent sourcing. This talent sourcing will start from the grassroots, from primary school, secondary school and the people in the communities whereby we go round local governments, sourcing talents and we will bring these children together, we will organize competitions whereby our children will be more responsible,” he said.

He expressed concern over the current state of athletics in the North-West region, which he represents, noting that the zone has been lagging behind in sports development.

However, he assured that this narrative would change under the new leadership.

“My coming on board, we will ensure the zone (Northwest) where I represent, to revive all sporting activities, not only athletics, but all sporting activities. We will ensure we develop talent and bring unity in sporting activities and we will also look for sponsors and cooperation of our various state governments for the development of sports in the zone.”

Zurmi called on members and stakeholders of the Athletics Federation to unite and work collectively for the growth and progress of athletics in Nigeria.