‘Team Ready For Championship’
President of Athletics, Sebastian Coe (left) with the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) at the Tokyo Olympics…yesterday
In its bid to avoid a repeat of the incident in Tokyo, where ten Nigerian athletes were prevented from competing by the Athletics Integrity Unit, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has dispatched its Anti-Doping Unit to the camp of the junior athletes, who are preparing for the U20 Championship.
The athletes, who have been in camp in Asaba, Delta State, held their Open Trial on Thursday to select those for the Championship slated for Nairobi, Kenya from August 17 to 22.
AFN President, Tonobok Okowa revealed in a chat with told The Guardian yesterday that the Anti-Doping Commission headed by Prof Ken Anugweje would be in Asaba today to conduct the needed medical examination on the junior athletes saying: “We have to do this now to avoid last-minute challenges as we just witnessed at the Tokyo Olympics.”
During the U20 Open Trials held at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba on Thursday, Kingsley Emeka Unorji ran 10.32 seconds in the men’s 100m, just as Favour Oghenetejiri Ashe posted 10.34seconds to make the list of athletes who remain in camp for the Championship. Okoro Oghale ran 10.61 seconds.
In the women’s 100m event, Olayinka Sholademi Olajide ran 11.50 seconds, while Praise Ofoku returned at 11.51seconds.
In the women’s 200m, Chidera Johnson ran 21.57 seconds, while Johnson Winifred returned a time of 22.35 seconds.
The duo of Kingsley Emeka Unorji (21.80 seconds) and Famous Analuwe (22.38 seconds) topped the table in the men’s 200m event.
In the men’s 110m hurdles, Ekporere Prosperran ran 13.97seconds, just as Okonye Precious posted a time of 14.29 seconds.
The AFN’s junior camp for the Championship opened in Asaba on July 23 for athletes selected from different parts of the country.
Head coach of the U20 camp, former Nigerian jumper, hurdler and sprinter, Seigha Porbeni, told The Guardian yesterday that Team Nigeria for the Championship would be ready soon adding that the country’s sprinters would shock the world in Nairobi.
