The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has pledged its 35-man strong contingent to the forthcoming coming Paris 2024 Olympics Games would not leave the French capital without stepping on the podium.
This assurance was made over the weekend by the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, shortly after the final list of Team Nigeria Athletics was made public.
Okowa said the Federation in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Sports have concluded arrangements for the team’s training camp in Germany before heading to Paris for the Games.
“We are praying and hoping that all our plans and build up for the games go as scheduled and the athletes are fit. And if they are fit, you can be rest assured that Tobi Amusan is a very strong candidate for a gold medal in the women’s 100m hurdles, the same goes for Ese Brume in the long jump,” Okowa said in an interview with AFN Media.
The 35-man strong contingent of Team Nigeria Athletics is made up of 18 females and 17 males who compete for honours in nine events in their category as well as the Mix Relays 4×100m and 4×400m.
“The relays is another medal prospect zone for our team, the technical team will be do the needful in the area of baton exchange and we hope it goes well which is our prayer, you can be sure of a podium finish,“ Okowa who is also the President of Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Zone 2, added.
He further emphasized that at a major outing like the Olympics, sheer moments of individual brilliance are recorded and Team Nigeria Athletics do have a couple of athletes’ in its fold who can spring or create such moments.
“Our mission to the Games in Paris is built on the success story of the African Games, the World Relay Championship, African Senior Athletics Championships and open up our team to the next World Athletics Championships in 2025 and the 2028 LA Games,” the Delta State born Sports Administrator stressed.
“Team Nigeria Athletics squad to Paris is a pretty young team and we have another group of talented athletes who are currently in Colleges and Universities in America who will be ripe for the big stage in two years’ time. That’s what we in the AFN are excited about.”
Read Also: Paris 2024: Okowa predicts glorious outing for Team Nigeria
The President went on to explain that the Technical Committee carefully selected the very best based on their performance in the last six months.
Team Nigeria Athletics to Paris Olympics
WOMEN
Favour Ofili : 100m/200m/4×100m
Rosemary Chukwuma: 100m/4×100m
Tima Godbless:100m/4×100m
Olayinka Olajide:4×100m
Justina Eyakpoboyan:4×100m
Ella Onojuvwevwo:400m
Elo Joseph:400m
Tobi Amusan:100m Hurdles
Ese Brume: Long Jump
Ruth Usoro :Long Jump
Prestina Ochonogor: Long Jump
Temitope Adeshina: High Jump
Sade Olatoye: Hammer
Ashley Anumba: Discus
Chioma Onyekwere: Discus
Obiageri Amaechi: Discus
MEN:
Favour Ashe:100m/4×100m
Godson Brume:100m/4×100m
Kanyinsola Ajayi :100m/4×100m
Alaba Akintola:4×100m
Usheoritse Itsekiri:4×100m
Ezekiel Nathaniel:400m Hurdles
Dubem Nwachukwu:4×400m
Samuel Ogazi :400m/4×400m
Ifeanyi Ojeli:4×400m
Udodi Onwuzurike:200m/4×400m
Chidi Okezie:400m/4×400m
Chukwudebem Amene:4×400m
Edose Ibadan:800m
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi:Shot Put
Chinecherem Nnamdi:Javelin
MIXED RELAY:
Israel Okon
4×400m
Sikiru Adeyemi
4×400m
Patience Okon
4×400m
Omolara Ogunmakinju
4×400m
Elo Joseph
4×400m
Ella Onojuvwevwo
4×400m