Stellar athletes such as Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume, and Favour Ashe will be among the athletes launching the 2024 Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s Olympics Trials, beginning Sunday evening in Benin City, Edo State after months of meticulous preparation.
The ambiance in the ancient city is nothing short of captivating, particularly around the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the venue of the National Trials.
From this evening until Tuesday, June 18, the nation’s finest track and field stars, both foreign-based and local, will showcase their talents.
This event serves as a double-header, as the AFN will use the National Trials to select athletes for the 2024 African Senior Championships in Douala, Cameroon, from June 21 to 26, as well as for the Paris Olympics.
Ella Onojuvwevwo is a standout contender with a time of 50.57 secs, the fastest Nigerian 400m time in recent years.
She faces tough competition from Elo Esther Joseph, who posted 50.61secs to clinch the African Games gold in March.
Omolara Omotosho Ogumakinju, with a season’s best of 51.90, also promises a strong performance after her impact at the Africa Games.
On the field, high jump sensation, name omitted, aims to showcase her newfound form in front of the home crowd. With her eyes set on clearing 2.00m after achieving 1.97m recently to erase her national record, all eyes will be on her.
All of Nigeria’s top stars are already in town, eagerly awaiting the commencement of the programme this evening.
The AFN has chosen to skip this morning’s events to allow Muslim faithful to enjoy the Salah Day celebrations.
The fans are in for a treat this evening, with stars like Tobiloba Amusan, Ese Brume, Favour Ashe, Godson Brume, Udodi Onwuzurike, Favour Ofili, and Temitope Adeshina set to dazzle in their respective events.
It’s heartening to see Nigerian men sprinters regaining prominence after being overshadowed in recent years.
The men’s 100m final promises to be thrilling, with U.S.-based Favour Ashe, a consistent sub-10 runner, aiming to break Olusoji Fasuba’s national record of 9.88secs set in 2006.
Godson Brume, also based in the U.S., with a personal best of 9.90 and a season best of 9.99secs, is another star to watch out for.
Udodi Uwazurike, currently in the top three sprinters, has a personal best of 9.92 secs and a season best of 10.24 secs. Despite being slowed down by injury, he remains a formidable force in the 200m.
Kayinsola Ajayi, with a season and personal best of 10.01secs, is another strong contender expected to produce a stellar performance.
In the women’s sprint event, Favour Ofili is the favorite, boasting a personal best of 10.78 and a national record of 21.96. However, she faces stiff competition from the likes of Rosemary Chukwuma with a PB of 10.82 and a season best of 10.88, as well as Tima Godbless with 11.03 this season.
The men’s and women’s 400m races promise exciting contests, with Nigeria boasting four 44.00 runners in the men’s quarter-mile for the first time in many years. Samuel Ogazi leads the pack with 44.52secs, followed by Dubem Nwachukwu with 44.81secs, Bamidele Emmanuel with 44.88secs, and Chidi Okezie, who last hit the Olympics standard with 44.97secs.
Athletes, coaches, and administrators in Benin City for the National Trials have showered praises on Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State for his commitment to promoting athletics and sports in general in Nigeria.
AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, expressed gratitude to Obaseki for hosting the National Trials three times and praised Chairman of Edo Sports Commission, Olympian Yusuf Alli, for his exemplary work.
