Tag: CAA

The Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) President, Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, yesterday  paid a courtesy visit to the former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at his Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Malboum, was accompanied by the President of Asian Athletics, General Dahlan Al Hamad, the Director General of the Nigeria Sports Commission, Honourable Chief Bukola Olopade, and the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Chief Tonobok Okowa.

The team called on the former number one citizen of the country, to help drive and accelerate the development and reform of the sport of athletics across the continent.

He  explained that, administratively things can be better on the continent, stating that on some occasions, the CAA had to beg for support from the World Athletics (WA).

He stressed that such pleas have reduced the pride of the continent and also stifled the growth  of  African Athletics.

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The Cameroonian- born administrator, who first met the Obasanjo when he was in office, said  the former president had been selected to be one of the pillars of their latest initiative-Africa Sports and Culture Development Foundation- and requested for his consent to be made the Head of the board of trustees of the foundation.

Obasanjo accepted the honour stressing that he is open to any policy that will aid sports and cultural development, endeavours with a very high level of positivity and productivity.

The former Military Head of State welcomed president Asian Athletics, General Dhalang, describing the Qatari military commander as a comrade.

He thanked the CAA for bringing the hosting rights to Nigeria and Ogun State in particular. Obasanjo was very vocal in praise for the state.  “We have facilities and we have history.”

He went on to add that any friend of Africa is most welcome in the state, adding: “ they will cooperate, collaborate and partner with CAA. “We will be the best host we can be.”

Malboum  later  presented the former President a letter of the corporation and also offered a book authored by a Cameroonian Professor as a gift to the presidential library.

A key of member of Team Nigeria’s contingent to the forthcoming 3^rd  edition of the Confederation of Africa Athletics, (CAA) U-18/U-20 Championships starting next week in Abeokuta , Oghene Success Oyibu, remains  confident in Nigeria’s ability to excel at the event.

In an exclusive interview with First Zealmediacast Blog, the 17-year-old  explained that the camping put together by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, has helped her and other athletes in shaping up for the event.

She went on to explain that she will do everything within her power to make Nigeria proud at the championships, bringing glory and honour to the Giants of Africa.

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 “I’m feeling confident and focused, I’ve been working hard in training and I think mentally, I’m ready to compete at the big stage,” she said.

The 2025 CAA U-18/U-20 Championships is scheduled to take place in Abeokuta, from the 16^th July to 20^th  with over  700 athletes  expected to  be in attendance at the continental showpiece.

She stated that being a member of Team Nigeria is, a thing of great joy for her.

 “Qualifying for the CAA U-18/U-20 Championships was a high point for me, during the trials, I was prepared and focused on achieving what I came there for,” she stated.

She further explained that her exceptional performance during the trials, clocking a time of 23.80s (-0.6) in the U-20 women’s 200m was the result of years of hard work and commitment, and reckoned that that her Coach, Oseyi Adima Aaron, has been of immense help to her aspirations.

 “It was the combination of hard work and mental preparation, my coach, Oseyi Adima Aaron, had been working really hard, helping me to be more focused, and building my strengths. Immediately after I came back from the National Sports Festival, we started training, trying to work on speed and endurance, among others,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, Oyibu has  showered praises on the AFN President Tonobok Okowa, explaining that the experience in camp has been great and that the team has been supportive, helping her focus on my goal.

She added that Success is bound to come her way, and that athletics lovers across the continent should be ready to witness her sheer determination.

 “I want to thank him very much, for his tireless effort for athletics in Nigeria. It’s an honour to represent Nigeria and I give God the glory for this opportunity, athletics lovers should look out for my determination, I’m ready to give my all for my career and my country,” she concluded.

Hosts Nigeria will be presenting the biggest contingent to the upcoming Under 18 and Under 20 African Athletics Championships in Abeokuta Ogun State.

With two weeks to the championships, the Ogun State capital is gearing up to welcome the continent’s finest young athletes for the event scheduled to hold from 16 to 20 July  2025.

A total of 43 countries have confirmed participation, with 937 athletes and officials already registered for the prestigious event.

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Africa’s athletics powerhouses—Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Egypt—are all confirmed to be represented, along with other strong contenders such as Ghana, Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon, Senegal, Uganda, and others.

Host nation Nigeria tops the list with the largest delegation, featuring 60 male and 50 female athletes, alongside 22 officials, making a total of 132 participants.

South Africa follows closely with 42 men, 40 women, and 18 officials, summing up to a 100-member contingent.

This latest prestigious sporting gathering comes just two months after Abeokuta successfully hosted over 15,000 athletes and officials during the Gateway Games 2024—the 22nd National Sports Festival.

• 30 Delta athletes make Team Nigeria’s squad

The 3^rd  edition of Africa U18/U20 Championships holding this month  in Ogun State, has attracted some 240 sports journalists from within and outside Nigeria.

The event, which is expected to attract over 500 athletes from 54 countries, will run from July 16-20 at MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta.

According to the organisers, over 198 Nigerian sports journalists applied for accreditation to cover the event while about 42 application came from outside the country.

A member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), said yesterday that the number may be scaled down due to the available space in the media Tribune at the stadium.

  Meanwhile, Delta State athletes delivered a commanding performance at the national trials to select Nigeria’s team for the championships. The trials, which took place in Sagamu, Ogun State, underlined the state’s dominance in grassroots sports development.

The delegation of 40 athletes turned in a medal-laden showing, with 30 earning selection to fly Nigeria’s flag at the 3rd African U18/U20 Championships in Abeokuta.

This remarkable feat was fuelled by the unwavering support of the Chairman of the Delta State Athletics Association, Sir Malik Ikpokpo, who bankrolled the team’s participation at the championship.

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  His investment in youth sports development continues to yield dividends, with Delta athletes shining across a wide spectrum of events.

  In the Triple Jump U18, Timothy Ugherakpoteni soared to gold, adding flair to Delta’s dominance in the field.  Similarly, Ajagbawa Frances claimed gold in the Long Jump U20 Women, while Ugwu Meshack leapt to a silver finish in the Long Jump U20 Men.

  The javelin throw was another stronghold for the Delta team, with Kenneth Christopher Destiny launching to gold in the U18 Women’s Javelin with a mark of 30.41 meters. Ofili Ebube earned silver in the U20 Men’s Javelin (52.56m), just as Ademola Temitope secured silver in the U20 Women’s Javelin (41.56m).

  In the 200m U18, a Delta sprinter clocked 21.67 seconds, and in discus events, Delta’s athletes also dominated, with Kanu Emmanuella throwing 34.5m to earn gold in the U20 Women’s Discus.

  Kenneth Christopher Destiny returned to the field and bagged gold in the U18 Discus with a 24.14-meter throw.

  Ikweki Praise soared to gold in the U18 High Jump with a leap of 2.07 meters, while Oddo Melvin added a silver at 1.95 meters.

  In the 400m U18 Men’s race, Kennedy posted a time of 48.95 seconds to win silver.

Sydney 2000 Olympic Games gold medallist, Enefiok Udo-Obong, has said countries and athletes should not take the fast-approaching CAA U-18/U-20 championship as a do or die affair by thinking about results alone, rather should concentrate on the development of athletes for future gain.

The championships scheduled to take place at the MKO Abiola Sports Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State between July 16 and 20, will see both the youths and junior athletes fighting for honour for their respective countries.

Speaking ahead the competition, Udo-Obong, who is the Chairman of the Technical Committee for the championships said the benefits is far beyond the result.

 “The benefits of the U-18/U-20 athletics championships in any level cannot be underestimated” he told the Media Committee. “It’s the beginning where young and developing athletes get their first chance at exposure, international exposure, the first feel of pressure, and this  is by no means a  little win developing the mental toughness, the competitive mobility of an athlete. 

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 “Competing at such underage tournament is at times termed the identification phase, the development phase. It is the beginning of the exposure phase and the ability to weather this type of pressure, whether it is in terms of adversity, expectation, or the strict competition rules, regimented kind of programme, and still succeed. 

Speaking further, Udo-Obong, who anchored the Nigeria 4x400m relay to success at the Sydney Olympics said; “It is part of the process in building talented athletes. So the experience gathered by young athletes can by no means be overestimated.

 “Results are not really the most important thing at this level. It is what the athlete can learn and the experiences gathered are the most important thing at this level. And how they navigate through this is what will make them better athletes in future.”