The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku, is confident that many of Nigeria’s athletes will qualify for the World Athletics Championship scheduled for next month in Eugene, Oregon, USA.
The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City Edo State will be a beehive of activities this weekend as the country’s top athletes will be attending the 2022 national trials being organized by the AFN.
Topping the list of athletes expected in the ancient city of Benin for the Commonwealth Games and World Athletics Championship trials are Sprint hurdler Tobiloba Amusan, the reigning African Games and African championships Shot Putter Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, and Nigeria and African record holder in Long Jump Ese Brume.
Others include 19-year-old Favour Ofili, a silver medalist in the 200m event at the 2022 NCAA indoor and outdoor championships; Triple jumper and silver medalist at the 2022 NCAA Championships, Ruth Usoro and 400m Hurdles runner Nathaniel Ezekiel.
“For years Nigeria has not been qualifying for the relay events so we want to go back to the status quo by inviting some countries to come and run some relay races to try to qualify, especially the men’s 4x400m relay team.”