• Amusan, Onwuzurike arrive today
• 12 U.S.-based stars train in Benin
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), yesterday, threatened to shut the doors to the 2023 Championships billed for Budapest, Hungary, against any foreign-based athlete who fails to show up for the national trials in Benin City, Edo State.
AFN’s threat came just as 12 U.S.-based stars trained at the Samuel Ogbamudia Stadium, Benin City, yesterday, in preparation for the event, which the country will use to select its flag bearers to the Championships.
Today is arrival day for the championship, which begins tomorrow and ends on Thursday.
AFN Secretary General, Rita Mosindi, told The Guardian, yesterday, that any foreign-based athlete, who failed to attend the national trials, should consider him/herself out of the trip to Budapest.
“AFN has a policy in the selection of athletes for major competitions, including the Championships. If you don’t come for the national trials, you won’t go to Budapest.
“The only condition for the AFN to consider such athlete for the Championship is, if he or she tenders a genuine case of ill-health. In that case, our medical team has to be notified and the board has to take a decision on it. For now, no athlete has informed me of his or her absence from the national trials.
“We have only heared rumour that some athletes would not be here for the national trials, but the rules are clear. If you don’t come, forget the ticket,” Mosinde stated.
AFN Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku, also warned the athletes that plan to shun the trials. He said: “Some of the athletes feel that they have already qualified for the Championships with A Standard. But it is the AFN that will register them for the Championships. Anybody who fails to show up in Benin City is on his/her own.”
Meanwhile, AFN scribe, Mosinde has revealed that over 12 foreign-based athletes are already in Benin for the trials. They are sprinters Alaba Akintola and Tima Godbless; 400m runners, Ella Onouvevwo, Ezekiel Nathaniel; and triple jumper, Ruth Usoro.
All the country’s foreign-based throwers were expected to join the camp in Benin City yesterday evening.
She also revealed that reigning sprint hurdles world champion, Tobiloba Amusan and Nigeria’s best 200m runner at the moment, Udodi Onwuzurike, are among athletes expected in Benin City, today.
“Tobi Amusan’s flight from Sweden was cancelled yesterday, but we are expecting her by 8.45 a.m. tomorrow (today),” Mosinde stated.
