Former African and Commonwealth long jump champion, Yusuf Alli, has been appointed as the head of the organizing committee for the 2023 Nigerian track and field championships. The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) made this announcement, revealing that the championships will take place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State.
Alli, who currently serves as the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, brings a wealth of experience to the role, particularly his record-breaking jump of 8.27m at the 1989 African Championships in Lagos.
Joining Alli on the organizing committee are several distinguished individuals from the sporting world. Samuel Onikeku has been appointed as the Technical Director, while Victor Okorie will serve as the Performance Director. Other committee members include Navy Commodore Nesiama Omatseye, Prof. Ken Anugweje, Enefiok Udo-Obong, Maria Wophill, Henry Okorie, Solomon Aliyu, and Rita Mosindi, the AFN Secretary General. This esteemed group will work together to ensure the smooth and successful execution of the championships.
The national trials held during the championships will play a vital role in selecting Nigeria’s representatives for the upcoming 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, scheduled to take place from August 19 to 27. Nigerian athletes will strive to demonstrate their prowess and secure their spots on the international stage.
In a related development, it has been reported that certain board members, who had previously formed a dissident faction within the AFN, have been excluded from the organizing committee. These individuals, desperate to secure sponsorship funds, are now attempting to regain favor by requesting inclusion in the committee.
Solomon Ogba, a two-time AFN President, has expressed his admiration for the selection of Yusuf Alli as the head of the organizing committee. Ogba, who previously led the committee in Benin City for the selection of athletes for the World Championships in Oregon and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, praised Alli’s capabilities and affirmed his intention to attend the event to witness Nigeria’s finest athletes in action.
The appointment of Yusuf Alli and the formation of the organizing committee mark significant steps forward in the preparation for the 2023 Nigerian track and field championships. With Alli’s experience and the dedicated committee members, the event promises to be a spectacular showcase of Nigerian talent and athleticism.
