Nine countries, including Nigeria, have converged in Lome, Togo, for the African Region 2 relay events, with the aim of securing tickets to the upcoming 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
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The Nigerian team, having already earned relay tickets in the women’s 4x100m and mixed relay categories, now sets its sights on securing spots in the men’s 4x100m, men’s 4x400m, and women’s 4x400m events.
Following the conclusion of significant events at the National Trials held at Benin City’s Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the Nigerian team promptly departed for Lagos before embarking on their journey to Togo for the relay competitions.
Notably, Udodi Onwuzurike, the world’s second-ranked 200m runner, joined the team in Lagos. Udodi and his father had initially arrived in Lagos on Wednesday, but the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) advised them to await the team’s arrival in Lagos instead of proceeding to Benin City.
Accompanying Onwuzurike are other prominent athletes such as Nwachukwu Dubem, currently holding the best record of 44.81 seconds in the 400m event, and Usheoritse Itsekiri, the newly crowned national champion in the 100m event. Itsekiri will lead the 4x100m relay squad, consisting of Seye Ogunlewe, Alaba Akintola, and Favour Ashe.
The women’s 4x400m team includes Yvette Mckoy, veteran athlete Patience Okon, Imaobong Nse Uko, Queen Usunobun, Omolara Omotosho, and Ella Onojuvwevwo. In the men’s 400m team, Samuel Ogazi, Sani Mohammed, Johnson Chidera Nnamani, Chidi Okezie, and Ezekiel Nathaniel will represent Nigeria.
Departing from Benin City at approximately 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, the Nigerian contingent is accompanied by a strong coaching staff comprising Samuel Onikeku (AFN technical director), Benjamin Dalton, Solomon Aliyu, Gabriel Okon, and head coach Seigha Porbeni.
Expressing confidence in the team’s prospects, AFN President Tonobok Okowa conveyed his belief that Nigeria would secure the desired relay tickets. The athletes now face stiff competition from the other participating countries, each vying for their chance to compete on the global stage at the highly anticipated 2023 World Championships in August, held in Budapest, Hungary.
