The Minister Of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has heaped praise on the Nigeria contingents that represented the country for their exploits at the just concluded 22nd edition of the African Senior Athletics Championships in Mauritius.
Even though Nigeria were short of important big names for 22nd edition of competition, Team Nigeria still managed to finish the tournament on high note, winning eleven medals in total.
Nigeria won five gold medals, three silver medals and three bronze medals to finish third behind Kenya and South Africa respectively.
While commenting on the achievements of Team Nigeria at the tournament, Hon. Sunday Dare said the country is proud of them even with the absence of top rated Nigerian athletes in the competition, the country’s contingents still succeeded in Mauritius.
“Even in the absence of some of our top rated athletes who could not make it to Mauritius, Team Nigeria still fought gallantly and defended our colours brilliantly. We are so proud of them,” the Minister said.
On the final day of the competition, two Nigerians broke records in their various categories, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi won gold in the men’s Shot put with a throw of 21.20m to set a new championships record.
Meanwhile, Mike Edwards won a silver medal in the men’s High Jump to break a twenty-six years barrier as he became the first Nigerian man to win an African Championships medal in a men’s High Jump event since Anthony Idiata won silver with a distance of 2.16m(NR) in 1996 edition in Yaounde.
