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The AFN has released Nigeria's representatives to the African U18 and U20 Championships in Zambia.
The Athletics Federation of Nigerian (AFN) has named Tima Godbless alongside 41 other youngsters to compete for honours at the combined 4th African U18 Championships and the 15th African U20 championships, scheduled to start this weekend in Ndola, Zambia.
The list comprises twenty-three U18 girls and boys and nineteen U20 men and women, with National U20 women's record holder, Godbless spearheading Nigeria's challenge for podium placements in the U20 category.
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11:58 - 31.03.2023
ATHLETICS Behold our rising stars! Fiaku and Eyakpobeyan shine bright at National U18 and U20 Trials in Kaduna
The National U18 and U20 Trials is ongoing in Kaduna, and has produced several talents who are set to represent Nigeria at the African U18 and U20 Championships in Zambia.
While National Sports Festival (NSF) 100m and 200m silver medalist Faith Okwose tops the list of twenty-three U18 youngsters listed for the Championships.
Others in the U18 category are Ewa Peace, Eyakpoeyan Justina Tiana (Nigeria U18 trials 100m champion), Saibu Yetunde Olayinka, Israel Okon Sunday, Monday Ebuka, Francis James Musa, Jimoh Justin Osigwe and Abujei Chinedu.
In the U20 category, Sule Rejoice Adijatu, Oke Opeyemi Deborah, Usenbor Osaretin Joy, Bright Ada Princess, Ajayi Kanyinsola, Adebisi Musbau, Musa Nurain Kola, Unorji Kingsley Emeka, and Caleb Joshua also made the team.
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15:54 - 01.04.2023
Eyakpobeyan and Israel complete sprints double as more rising stars emerge at National U18/U20 trials
Justina Eyakpobeyan and Sunday Israel made it sprint double victories at the National U18 and U20 trials in Kaduna.
The AFN Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku, says the federation has selected the best athletes that will do Nigeria proud in Ndola and follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, who launched their way to stardom at the championships.
"The AFN has selected the best crop of young athletes who will not only be medal contenders in Ndola but will grow to become one of the best in their events," said Onikeku, a former Nigerian international athlete.
Onikeku revealed that in the last edition of the combined championships held four years ago in Abidjan, Ivory Coast produced stars who have grown to be Nigerian and African record holders today.
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"Enoch Adegoke cut his teeth at this championship. He ran a 10.29 Championship Record in the 100m in Ivory Coast four years ago and two years after that he became the first Nigerian man in over a decade to run in the final of the Olympics," said Onikeku who also revealed Favour Ofili sped to fame with double Championship Records in Ivory Coast.
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"Favour was exceptional in Ivory Coast, setting two Championships Records in the 200m (23.38s) and 400m (52.28s) events in the U18 category. Today, she is the African Record holder in the 200m indoors and Nigeria's 200m record holder outdoors.
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"Rosemary Chukwuma successfully completed a sprint double in Ivory Coast in the U20 category, and she is today the fastest over the two events so far this year.
"Javelin thrower Nnamdi Chinecherem set a Championships Record of 74.71m to win the gold, and he is today the Nigerian record holder in the event after breaking Pius Bazighe's over two decades record," said Onikeku.
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13:14 - 24.04.2023
WEEKEND WRAP Godson Brume stars with sub-10s clocking as Uko, Chukwuma, and Akintola run impressive SBs
Recap of Nigeria's best performers last weekend, with Godson Brume topping the list of performers.
The AFN Technical Director is confident the athletes going to Ndola to compete are as good as those who went to Ivory Coast four years ago, so Nigerians should expect the birth of a new generation of superstars.
Meanwhile, Mrs Rosa Collins, a former Nigerian and African triple jump champion and record holder who is also the second Vice President of the AFN, is the leader of the delegation.
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