The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is optimistic about Team Nigeria’s chances of securing the three remaining relay tickets to the Budapest 2023 World Championships at the Lagos Series event, which is set to take place today.
The Nigerian team narrowly missed out on qualification at the African Region 2 Relay events held in Togo last weekend.
Team Nigeria is focused on qualifying in the men’s 4x100m, 4x400m, and women’s 4x400m relays.
Today, Nigeria will compete against the Benin Republic and Ghana, two West African countries also vying for qualification, at the Lagos Series event held at Yaba College of Technology.
Samuel Onikeku, the AFN Technical Director, expressed confidence in the athletes’ high spirits and revealed that the Ghanaian team arrived early yesterday and is equally eager to secure their passage to Budapest.
Onikeku stated, “Our athletes are ready for the Deji Tinubu/Lagos Series, and I am optimistic we will get the qualification marks this time.
The Ghanaians are in the same hotel as us, and they want to use the Lagos Series to secure their passage to Budapest. The Benin Republic is on its way to Lagos.”
Team Nigeria has already secured qualification in the women’s 4x100m and mixed relays.
The Nigerian squad for the relays includes athletes such as Godson Brume, who joined the team from the United States on Tuesday morning, sprinter Usheoritse Itsekiri, Seye Ogunlewe, Alaba Akintola, and Favor Ashe.
Udodi Onwuzurike, a U.S.-based speedster, has returned to his base after the African Region 2 event in Togo.
The women’s squad features athletes Ella Onojuwvewo, Patience Okon-George, and Imaobong Nse Uko.
Tima Godbless has also returned to her base in the United States following a minor injury sustained during the national trials in Edo State.
The Deji Tinubu/Lagos Athletics Club Series, organized by the Lagos State Athletics Association (LSAA), aims to revive healthy competition among athletes across Nigeria.
With 27 clubs and three schools participating, they will vie for a share of the grand prize.
Enefiok Udo-Obong, the Technical Director of LSAA, expressed excitement about the one-day meet, highlighting the relay events as the main attraction.
Teams will be competing for qualifying times for the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Udo-Obong said, “We will have teams from Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic, and Nigeria.
Some of our best athletes in sprints and relays will also be present to compete. I look forward to new records and excellent performance from the athletes.”
Solomon Alao, Chairman of LSAA, emphasized the aim of the tournament to restore the glorious era of athletics.
Recognizing the role of athletics clubs in sustaining the sport in Nigeria, Alao stated, “We decided to leverage on this fascinating phenomenon to encourage further growth and see how to maximize its potential.”
Alao added that plans were underway to enroll the discovered athletes in a mentoring program to be facilitated by former Olympic medalist Udo-Obong, who also serves as the Technical Director of LSAA.
As Team Nigeria aims to secure the remaining relay tickets to the Budapest 2023 World Championships, the Lagos Series event provides a crucial opportunity for qualification.
The athletes, alongside their counterparts from Benin Republic and Ghana, are prepared to showcase their skills and determination on the track.
With the AFN’s confidence and the supportive atmosphere at the Lagos Series, Nigerian athletics enthusiasts eagerly anticipate a display of exceptional performances and the fulfillment of qualification dreams.
