Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) technical director, Sunday Adeleye has hinted that the track and field governing body might decide to take the country’ youth athletes by road to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire for the next month’s African Junior Athletics Championship in Abidjan.
Although Adeleye, who is the athletes’ representative in AFN, said a final decision has not been taken on the matter, he believes going by road would be another way of exposing the kids internationally.
Sports247.ng can report that Adeleye is of a view that going by road to Cote d’Ivoire would provide several direct and indirect benefits to the AFN and the team, especially as they intend to take a large number of athletes to the upcoming competition.
The former sprinter, who recalled that about 17 athletes went to last year’s Africa Youth Games in Algeria due to lack of funds, added that the AFN may resort to road trip in order to accommodate a large contingent.
He added that the athletes will be selected from the ongoing trials for under-18 and under-20 talents, who will compete for spots up till this Sunday, March 17 at Gateway International Stadium, Ilaro, Ogun State.
Adeleye disclosed that a total of 1,271 entries have been received from across the federation and promised that the AFN’s egg heads will ensure only the best eligible athletes are picked during the trials.
He stated: “We want to go there with a very good team. Abidjan is very close to us so we are looking at featuring in all the events this time.
“Travelling is also education. So, instead of us flying to Abidjan, we may decide to use the road trip.
“I did that in 2002 as a junior athlete to Abidjan and we enjoyed it then. For the junior athletes, is good experience to bond together.
“We have not concluded; we are still looking at the two options depends on funds we have.
“We will infuse more events than we were doing before. If we have to take everyone for all the events then we might consider the road trip.
“Previously we went for events in the 100m, 200m, 400m and may be the 800m leaving out the long distance races like the 10,000m, 5000m.
“Right now we will be going into it as well as the Pole Vaults and other field events since .”
