Amusan, Ashe, Adeshina, Others Arrive For AFN National Trials
2 min read
By Sportsgister
World Record holder in the women’s 100m hurdles, Tobiloba Amusan, red hot sprinter Favour Ashe and high jump record breaker, Temitope Adeshina are among top athletes already in Lagos for the 2024 AFN National Trials holding in Benin City, Edo State from June 16-18.
As at this evening, virtually all the foreign-based athletes have arrived in Nigeria for the event, which the AFN is using to pick the nation’s athletes for both the African Senior Championships holding in Douala, Cameroon and the Paris Olympics.
Technical Director of the AFN, Samuel Onikeku revealed today that virtually all the top athletes were already in various hotels in Lagos, and the remaining are expected to arrive tomorrow.
“As at this morning, we already have a full house,” Onikeku said. “Tobi Amusan is in town, we have Ashe Favour, Temitope Adeshina and many of them.
We are expecting just a few more from the United States,” Onikeku stated.
Perhaps, one athlete many Nigerians will be watching out for at the National Trials at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City is record breaker, high jumper Temitope Adeshina.
Adeshina recently set a mark of 1.97m for National Record and Personal Best at the NCAA championships in Eugene, Oregon in the United States.
In the sprint, all eyes will be on ‘fastest’ Favour Ofili in the women’s 100m and 200m as well as Favour Ashe, Godson Brume and Udodi Onwuzurike for the men.
The rivalry between Ese Brume and Ruth Usoro will be another interesting event to watch in the long jump arena, just as Record holder, Samuel Ogazi and Chidi Okezie are expected to ignite the track in the 400m event.
African Games champions, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi will be the cynosure of all eyes in the shot put event.
According to Onikeku, AFN advance team will hit Benin City tomorrow put heads together with the Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Olympian Yusuf Alli on arrangement for the National Trials.
AFN President Tonobok Okowa, said that the federation would pick only the best athletes, who are capable of winning medals for the country at the African Senior Championships in Douala.
“For years, we have been looking for a way to top the medals table in the African Senior Championships, and I think we have the chance to make history this year in Douala, Cameroon based on the caliber of stars we have.
We will pick only our best athletes in this National Trials not only for our trip to Cameroon but for the Paris Olympics,” Okowa stated.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
