Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City has become the epicenter of athletic competition
as athletes vie for the opportunity to represent Team Nigeria at the 19th World Athletics
Championship in Budapest, Hungary, scheduled for August.
This event marks the second Golden League organized by the Athletics Federation of
Nigeria (AFN) this year, with the first one taking place at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja
on May 26.
Previous Golden League showcased an outstanding race, with Samuel Ogazi emerging as the star athlete in the 400m final, winning with a remarkable time of 45.91 seconds.
Following that event, a group of 14 athletes has been training at the national team camp in
Asaba, under the guidance of four coaches who are fine-tuning their baton exchange
techniques for the relay events.
AFN Golden League in Benin City, spanning two days, will offer athletes the opportunity to
compete for spots in the relay events, including the 4x100m (male and female), 4x400m
(male and female), and the mixed 4x400m relay. In order to participate in the Golden
League, the national camp was dissolved, enabling athletes to test their skills in Benin City.
Seigha Porbeni, the Head Coach of AFN, anticipates an explosive event in Benin City, as the athletes from the national camp strive to prove their worth against contenders from various states.
Porbeni emphasized the significance of this competition, as it serves as an opportunity for home-based athletes to demonstrate their capabilities before the arrival of foreign-based athletes. The event will see Team Delta represented by 32 athletes and eight
coaches.
All eyes will be on Samuel Ogazi as he endeavors to improve upon his impressive
performance in the 400m, aiming to surpass his previous time of 45.91 seconds. Hailing
from Kaduna, Ogazi previously represented Dynamic Athletics Club at the AFN Golden
League in Abuja.
Tonobok Okowa, the President of AFN, has encouraged athletes to seize the opportunity
presented by the Golden League in Benin City to enhance their performances and secure a
place in Team Nigeria for the Budapest 2023 World Athletics Championships.
The countdown to the championship is underway, and this event provides a platform for athletes to showcase their skills and earn their spot alongside their foreign-based counterparts
