AFN To Engage Ex-Internationals

 Bearing any unforeseen circumstance, The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), is getting set to engage some ex-internationals in building Nigeria athletes for a better performance this year.

According to the President of the Federation, Solomon Ogba, the AFN will be engaging 6 ex internationals who will be sent to the different zones of the country for better monitoring of athletes.

Ogba said the decision became necessary due to the fact that the body does not have any Coach as they do with the ones sent by states while elaborating that the 6 ex- internationals will be engaged as consultants and that the AFN have already discussed with the National Sports Commission.

“The AFN as a Federation don’t have any employed coaches; we make do with what the states are bringing. Now we are trying to do something that will engage 6 ex-international athletes that we are going to send to the different zones and we are trying to engage this team as consultants, we have discussed it with the National Sports Commission.”

Speaking further, Ogba said, “This was what Joe Garba did in the early 70s and we are starting it this year. “If I should recall, when I came in 2009, I said we are going to rebuild the process and now you can see a much improved athletics in Nigeria.”

Speaking on the Coaches, the former Delta State Commissioner of Sports said, “We have used about 20 coaches that came in to assist and we now know those that can take athletes from one level to the next level.

“We have some good coaches who understand, but the problem is application. Everybody knows you need to run three trials but how do you as a coach applies it and when? This is scientific,” he said.

Ogba said the likely ex-internationals to be engaged by the AFN are, Falilat Ogunkoya, Mary Onyali, Gebral Okon, Olusule and Tom Nwakwe.

Abinuwa Falls As Suji Takes Gold In C-USA Indoor

Nigeria and University of Texas in El Paso (UTEP) sprinter, Endurance Abinuwa during the weekend at the Conference USA Indoor Champions (C_USA), at the Yeoman Fieldhouse in Houston, could not re-ignite the spark that saw putting in good performance in the past fifty days.

Abinuwa, who has been in splendid form this season, could only manage seventh position in the 60m dash clocking 7.42 in the final and running 24.39seconds in the 200m finals which placed her in the sixth over all position after taking the second position.

In the preliminaries of the 60 and 200meters, Abinuwa ran a time of 7.32 to take the second position and 24. 17 which gave her the third position respectively.

Another Nigerian in the UTEP colors, Suji Adeniyan won gold in the 4x400m in the men's grand finale of the C-USA Indoor Championships in a time of 3:18.22. The team ran a steady race, holding the lead for nearly the entire event and crossing the line 1.21 seconds ahead of second-place Tulsa.

The former University of Lagos student has so far when the season started been in fine form for the University of Texas in El Paso (UTEP).

It would be recalled that Africa track queen, Blessing Okagbare, in the 2010 Conference USA Outdoor Championships (C-USA), donning the UTEP colors, was named the 2010 Conference USA Outdoor Championships female Performer of the Meet and the High Point Scorer of the Meet for the second consecutive year in Orlando, Florida.

Okagbare, who's also a nine-time All-American, won the women’s long jump with a leap of 6.58m in her first attempt, took the second in 6.41m and passed on the remaining four attempts of the competition.

Okagbare then took the 100m title in 11.36 seconds and later led her UTEP teammates Shalaiyah Sommerville, Endurance Abinuwa and Siohbian Crain to second place with a season-best time of 44.36 seconds in the women's 4x100m relay in 2010.

MIAA Tourney: Domike Breaks Triple Jump Record

Nigeria triple jumper and The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) long and triple jumper, Nkeiruka Domike broke the MIAA record in the triple jump after the second day of the league indoor track and field championships at Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Mo during the weekend.

Domike, who was the record holder in the Div 11 toppled her own record and posted the winning jump of 43-8 on her third jump, setting the conference and Central Missouri fieldhouse record in the process.  She outdistanced runner up Stephany Johnson of Central Missouri by more than three feet.  Domike has already posted the Division II record jump of 45-1 ¾.

It would be recalled that Nkeiruka Domike early this year posted the 19th-best jump in the world and shattered her own Division II-leading mark on day two of the prestigious Tyson Invitational at Arkansas early this month.

Domike now leads all Division II jumpers by nearly five feet and the Conference.

Abinuwa Falls As Suji Takes Gold In C-USA Indoor

Nigeria and University of Texas in El Paso (UTEP) sprinter, Endurance Abinuwa during the weekend at the Conference USA Indoor Champions (C_USA), at the Yeoman Fieldhouse in Houston, could not re-ignite the spark that saw putting in good performance in the past fifty days.

Abinuwa, who has been in splendid form this season, could only manage seventh position in the 60m dash clocking 7.42 in the final and running 24.39seconds in the 200m finals which placed her in the sixth over all position after taking the second position.

In the preliminaries of the 60 and 200meters, Abinuwa ran a time of 7.32 to take the second position and 24. 17 which gave her the third position respectively.

Another Nigerian in the UTEP colors, Suji Adeniyan won gold in the 4x400m in the men's grand finale of the C-USA Indoor Championships in a time of 3:18.22. The team ran a steady race, holding the lead for nearly the entire event and crossing the line 1.21 seconds ahead of second-place Tulsa.

The former University of Lagos student has so far when the season started been in fine form for the University of Texas in El Paso (UTEP).

It would be recalled that Africa track queen, Blessing Okagbare, in the 2010 Conference USA Outdoor Championships (C-USA), donning the UTEP colors, was named the 2010 Conference USA Outdoor Championships female Performer of the Meet and the High Point Scorer of the Meet for the second consecutive year in Orlando, Florida.

Okagbare, who's also a nine-time All-American, won the women’s long jump with a leap of 6.58m in her first attempt, took the second in 6.41m and passed on the remaining four attempts of the competition.

Okagbare then took the 100m title in 11.36 seconds and later led her UTEP teammates Shalaiyah Sommerville, Endurance Abinuwa and Siohbian Crain to second place with a season-best time of 44.36 seconds in the women's 4x100m relay in 2010.

Globacom Committed To 2011 Marathon, Says AF

Globacom Limited, the Official Sponsor of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Lagos International Half Marathon has restated its interest and commitment to the annual international long distance championship. Mohamed Jameel, the Group Chief Operating Officer (GCOO) of the telecom giant, offered the assurance during a courtesy call on the company by officials of AFN led by the President, Chief Solomon Ogba at the Mike Adenuga Towers Headquarters of Globacom.

Ogba, who spoke after the meeting described the deliberations as "very positive for athletics and Globacom Limited". The AFN boss further disclosed that issues arising from the cancellation of the 2010 edition of the Glo/Lagos International Half Marathon were amicably resolved and "the AFN wishes to clarify that the partnership with Globacom remains very intact".

He said officers of Globacom and AFN will in the days ahead consider appropriate dates for this years Glo/AFN Regional Half Marathon which will be holding for the first time and the third edition of the Glo/Lagos International Half Marathon.

 “We have amicably resolved issues that caused the initial friction in the relationship. We have even agreed to hold the 2011 edition in November starting with the brand new Glo/AFN Regional Half Marathon,” observed Ogba, a former Delta State Sports Commissioner.

While thanking Globacom for the interest shown towards the development of track and field in the country by sponsoring the half marathon,

The Glo/Lagos International Half Marathon offers the highest prize money in sub-Saharan Africa and is an IAAF listed event that has attracted the cream of international runners from Africa and Europe.

Nkeiruka Ready To Defend MIAA Indoor Title

Triple jumper and Nigeria silver medalist at the 2010 Africa Senior Athletics Championship in Nairobi, Kenya, Nkeiruka Domike is all set to defend her best triple jump time this weekend.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) long and triple jumper posted the best triple jump in Division II history earlier this year and is both the defending national champion and MIAA champion in the event.

Nkeiruka will be heading with her school team mates to Warrensburg, Mo. for the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association Indoor Championship. 

The meet is being held at Central Missouri and Nkeiruka and her school, the Mavericks, is the two-time defending MIAA champions indoors.

Domike is the defending national champion in the triple jump and is also the defending champion in the MIAA which she won by almost two feet last year in Joplin, Mo.

This year, Domike leads the nation in the triple jump with a Division II-record jump of 45-1 3/4, nearly five feet longer than the next athlete. 

In the long jump, Domike, competing in the event for the first time in North America this year, leads the MIAA with a jump of 19-3 1/2, a mark that's second best in the nation.

It would be recalled that Nkeiruka Domike early this year posted the 19th-best jump in the world and shattered her own Division II-leading mark on day two of the prestigious Tyson Invitational at Arkansas early this month.

Domike now leads all Division II jumpers by nearly five feet.

Abinuwa Targets Honors In C-USA Indoor Championship

Nigeria gold medalist in Kenya, Endurance Abinuwa will this weekend be on track with the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), for the Conference USA Indoor Champions at the Yeoman Fieldhouse in Houston.

Abinuwa, who has been in splendid form this season, took first place in the 60-meter dash at the Lobo open and the UNM Invitational and second place in the 200-meter dash at the UNM invitational.

At last year's C-USA Indoor Championships, the UTEP women team, which has Abinuwa clinched first place and the men made their way to third place.

This year’s edition will see Abinuwa and some other team members returning to help the Miners, as UTEP is called make their mark at this season's C-USA Indoor Championships.

According to Endurance Abinuwa, she will be running the 60m which have two people ahead of her in time and the 200m.

She said with her training; if she has the chance in getting ahead the two, she will definitely get to the top.

“I'm doing the 60-meters and the 200-meters and my coach has already told me that there are two people ahead of me in the 60-meters and if I have any chance to get them, I'm going to get them,” she said.

Tobias Commend AFN, Berates NSC

National athletics Coach, Tobias Igwe has given kudos to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria for the successful hosting of the first AFN All Comers Athletics Championship which was held at the Shagamu stadium while urging the National Sports Commission to release funds for other Sports.

The Abia state Coach said he was fulfilled as one of his national athlete, Abogunloko Bukola, who won gold at the 2010 IAAF World Youth Championship in Canada and the Africa Senior Athletics Championship in Kenya was in dazzling form as she won the 300m dash in a record time of 33.3seconds.

“I have to commend the Athletics Federation of Nigeria for the successful hosting of the First All Comers Championship, despite the fact that there was no prize money, the turnout was large and I was impressed with it.

“When we talk of youth development, this is one of them as some notable athletes were discovered in Shagamu during the two days event and also some other athletes put in fantastic display.

“There is nothing like happiness when you see your athletes making you proud, I was so elated when one of my national athletes, Abogunloko Bukola ran the fastest time in the female 300m in a record time of 33.3seconds and there was this guy from Delta who also showed good performance in Shagamu.”

While kicking against some athletes who were saying there was suppose to be prize money in the All Comers championships, Toblow, as he is fondly called said despite the fact that there was no prize money, participating alone is an eye opener to most of the new athletes and that the National Sports Commission (NSC) has not released any money to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

“If we continue to listen to the complain of some of the athletes sometimes, we will not move on, the championship alone is an eye opener to some of the athletes who wanted to show their what they have and I can tell you that the NSC has not release any money to the AFN so how will there be prize money?. He asked.

Abiola relish All Comers Personal Best Time

ECOWAS 2010 gold medalist, Onakoya Abiola, was on sung at the Shagamu stadium on Saturday when he set a personal best time of 1. 18 seconds in the 600meter dash of the season and also getting the second fastest time in the 300m with a time of 33.4seconds.

The Ogun state born athlete, who recently talked about his resolve to break into Team Nigeria this year, also commended the Athletics Federation of Nigeria for the All Comers Championship, which he says is a good initiative for talent hunt in the country and plead for sponsorship of the AFN events so as to tap from the abundant raw talents while maintaining that this year will be a prosperous athletics year for Nigeria if all hands are on deck.

“I was over joy when I saw that I have gotten a personal best and the second fastest time in the first championship of the year.  

“I had the best time in the 600m with a best of 1min.18sec.and had the second fastest in the 300m with a time of 33.4sec.

“The all comers thing is a good initiative, we only beg for sponsorship because Nigeria is full with raw talents and I am very positive this year will be a prosperous athletics year if all hands are on deck for optimum and good performance.”

According to the AFN, the All Comers Championships is qualification event for this year Golden League that will be starting in April.

Coach Adu Calls For Athletes Motivation In All Comers

Delta state born athletics Coach, Uruemu Adu has commended the Athletics Federation of Nigeria for starting its program for 2011 on time while also asking the federation to motivate the athletes in the future with prize money in championships so as to get the best from the athletes.

Uruemu told SportsDay that he was glad athletes and states turned up for the event even when there was no prize money, attributing the large turnout to the determination of the athletes to perform.

“The all comers without money is not good in motivating the athletes into putting in their best and recouping their money spent on training, transportation and feeding. However, the athletes are hungry to compete, that was why we saw the large crowd at Shagamu and the results seen were very impressive.”

According to Adu, “The way forward is for corporate support and youth developments, programs where talented real youth are identified, supported financially, morally, technically and are nurtured to the elite class athlete.”

Adu said that most of Nigeria top athletes lack the basic technique in their events; he said the athletes compete with too much strength which sap there energy before reaching the finals while saying the AFN should relate with the coaches and athletes from time to time and also approving training grants and stipends for the different categories of athletes monthly.

“The corporate bodies should support our athletes and youth developments programs where talented youths are identified, supported financially, morally, technically and are nurtured to the elite class athlete.”

Athletes Clamor For Prize Money In All Comers

Majority of the athletes that participated at the first edition of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) All Comers Championships in Shagamu, Ogun state over the weekend has called for little incentives which they described will encourage them to give their best.

The two days championship witnessed a large turnout with over 2000 athletes participating despite being without prize money, but the Athletes have urged the AFN to help with little incentives such as transportation fare as most of them are scattered across the country with some living in remote villages.

Some of the athletes who spoke with SportsDay and who don’t want their names in print said that though the championship is a good idea and a way of catching them young, since the national sports festival has been put on hold, it would have been good if there was money attached to it.

“I want to really commend the federation for coming up with this initiative of organizing this championship, it is a good idea but we all know that Nigeria athletes are suffering.  Infact there is no home base sport person that is having it rosy right now, so not attaching prize money to this event is not too good,” started one of the Delta State athlete.

Another athlete from Delta state said the program is good, he said at first he was not too happy to hear that they will be running for free but that he later soft peddle when he saw the name of the AFN President on the vest worn by the athletes which shows that there was no sponsorship money for the championship. 

“At first I was not too happy when I heard that we will be running for free in the three editions of the All Comers Championships, but I later cool down when I saw that the vest we will be wearing for the championship carries the name of the AFN president, that alone shows that there was no sponsors for this tournament.”

It would be recalled that the first of the three- legs All Comers Championship was held at the Shagamu February 18 and 19, while the Lagos leg will hold March 4^th and 5^th at YABATECH, while the last leg will hold at Ijebu –ode from March 18 and 19^th.

Bada Commends Athletes, Coaches In All Comers

Athletics Federation of Nigeria technical and performance director, Sunday Bada has commended the athletes and Coaches who were at the Shagamu stadium during the weekend to participate in the AFN first All Comers Championships which will span three editions.

Bada said there were over 2000 athletes in Shagamu which shows that the athletes are keen in show casing their talents.

“I really have to commend the athletes and coaches for coming out en-mass to participate in the championship.”

“The turn out was encouraging.”

According to the Performance Director, the All Comers is a qualification event for this golden league which comes up in April.

“The All comers is a qualification for the golden league. And so all those serious about doing well this season where here to show what they have been doing during the off season,” said Bada.

The second and third edition of the all comers will be coming up on the 4^th and 5^th and 18^th and 19^th of March respectively.

Abogunloko In High Sprit, Set New Record In All Comers

2010 IAAF Junior World Athletics Championship in Canada and Africa Senior Athletics Championship gold medalist in Kenya, Abogunloko Bukola has commended the AFN for the first All Comers Championships and started her readiness to give her best so as to qualify for the Athletics Federation Golden league this year.

Bukola, who represented Ekiti state in the championship, ran the fastest time in the female 300m dash with a time of 33.3 seconds.

According to the gold medalist, running the fastest time in Shagamu was as a result of serious training which she has been indulging in with her Coach and has promised to give her best in the remaining two editions of the All Comers Championship in Lagos and Ijebu Ode in Ogun state next month.

“Running the female fastest time is an act of God and the effort put in by me, with the help of my Coach who really made sure I am in form.

“Though attaching prize money will attract more seriousness from the athletes, the turnout was very encouraging, it shows that Nigeria athletes are ready to beat all odds and give their best to their states and country.”

The Ekiti state athlete said come next week in Lagos when the second All Comers will take place, she will be aiming to give her best and see if she can beat her time record in Shagamu and hope in God for the best.

Onakoya Targets World Championships

Nigerian ECOWAS 2010 gold medalist, Onakoya Abiola has expressed his determination by churning out good performances that will give him a place in Team Nigeria and finally make it to the IAAF World Championships coming up in August in Daegu, Korea and other international championships.

The Ogun state born athlete and double gold medalist at the Mauritius 2009African Junior Championships maintained his target of returning to Team Nigeria with new goals to meet.

“I want to put in a good performance this year that will lead to my being called to Team Nigeria and in so doing get to represent the country at the IAAF World Championships in August and also get a call up for the All Africa Games in September.”

Onakoya, who has won many medals, warned that he wanted to set a new mark that would see him through 2011.

“I'm hungry for Success,” he said, “I want to be the best, like the captain of the ship. I want to be the best again and being the best will take me places.”

In his hope of returning to the national team, Onakoya will face a renewed threat from other 400m runners.

Onakoya, who has won so many medals, said he is praying to God to give him a successful outing this year at the National Sports Festival, and all National and International competitions while expressing disappointment on the postponement of the Sports Festival which was suppose to have taken place last year.

“I pray that God see me through all my track activities this year and also a successful outing that will see me representing Nigeria in all the international championships we have this year.”

“I was disappointed when I heard of yet another postponement of the national sports festival but I was not surprise because that has been the culture of Nigeria, but what can I do or say? Whenever it comes, I only pray I have a successful one.”

Meanwhile, the multiple gold medalists gave kudos to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) in their effort in making Nigeria athletics better.

“The Athletics Federation is trying on its own part in putting things straight but they can still do more and make Nigeria athletics the pride of all sports in Nigeria.”

No Prize Money At AFN All Comers Event

All Athletes and officials from the 36 states and clubs going to Shagamu for this weekend’s Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) 1st All Comers and 10km Road Race have been advised to be prepared to fund their stay during the two-day competition starting on Friday, February 18 at the Shagamu Stadium.
According to the letter sent out last week to all the intending states and clubs, the AFN is insisting that it was not in a position to cater for athletes and officials coming to the Ibadan event.

AFN Assistant Secretary Mrs. Rita Akande who signed the letter specifically warned the athletes and officials not to expect the federation to shoulder their burdens.
“ There is no meal subsidy for any athlete. No transport allowance or accommodation. Also, no one should come to Shagamu hoping to win any prize money. This is an all Comers event,” observed the AFN assistant scribe.
She insisted further that all expenses incurred by any athlete are to be taken care of by their states or clubs.
Meanwhile, the AFN has listed events to compete for at the two-day track fiesta to include 60m, 150m, 300m, 600m, 1,000m, 5000m, 60m hurdles, 3000m hurdles. Others include High Jump, Pole vault, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Short Put, Discuss, Hammer, 4x200m, 4x400m, Decathlon (Heptathlon for women).

Abinuwa Posts Key NCAA Time

2010 gold medallist at the Africa Senior Athletics Championship in Nairobi Kenya, Endurance Abinuwa during the weekend got her ticket to the 2011 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Texas A&M Challenge in College Station, Texas.

Abinuwa clocked in the nation's fourth-best and personal best time of 52.99 in the women's 200-meter dash for a second-place finish. The performance ranks second all-time in the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) record books. She also finished fourth in the 200-meter dash posting a personal best of 23.88 (fourth all-time at UTEP).

Meanwhile, Middle Tennessee State University sprinter, Noah Akwu won the 55 and 200 meter dashes in respective times of 6.41 and 21.36 on Saturday. His 200 meter time is the second fastest in the Sun Belt Championships (SBC) this season.

Akwu will return to action in two weeks as he will travel with his school to Jonesboro, Ark., to compete at the 2011 Sun Belt Championships hosted by Arkansas State.

Domike Shatters Triple Jump Mark at Arkansas

Nigeria and University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) triple jumper Nkeiruka Domike during the weekend posted the 19th-best jump in the world this year and shattered her own Division II-leading mark on day two of the prestigious Tyson Invitational at Arkansas on Saturday.

Domike, in a duel with Florida State's Kimberly Williams in an invitation-only running of the event, posted a jump of 45-1 3/4 on her fifth jump of the day.  That was more than 20 inches farther that her previous mark which also led the nation and the longest jump in D-II history.  She now leads all Division II jumpers by nearly five feet.  Domike is the defending national champion in the triple jump indoors.

Williams won the event with a leap that was four inches farther.  Domike was second.  The meet features almost exclusively Division I athletes.

It would be recalled that Nkeiruka was recently named the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) women’s track and field student-athlete of the week where she continues her dominance in the triple jump, resetting her own school record in the event in her first time out this season.

Egwero set to Shine In Karlsruhe

2010 ECOWAS U-23 gold medalist in Abuja, Ogho Oghene Egwero will on Sunday compete with some of the World best at the 27th edition of the Karlsruhe’s Europahalle in the south west of Germany.

The Stuttgart, German base Egwero, said he would be taking part in the 60m event at the competition and hopes to put in good performance.

“I was in France last weekend at the Meeting Pas de Calais, in Liévin and I will say I did not disappoint myself, so running in Karlsruhe, I will try and put in a good performance and I hope to improve with the races as they come.”

Egwero will be competing in the 60m dash against the winner of the Stuttgart 60 metres, Mike Rodgers of the US, Lerone Clarke of Jamaica. Italy’s Emanuele Di Gregorio, the bronze medalist two years ago in Torino and who showed good form with a 6.62 in the Stuttgart heats could also be in the final mix, along with Italian record holder Simone Collio. Also in the competition will be France’s Ronald Pognon, whose 6.45 six years ago established a European indoor record while former World 100 metres champion, Kim Collins of St. Kitts has added the Karlsruhe meeting to his schedule.

Meanwhile, two other Nigerians will be competing in Karlsruhe for their adopted countries.

Sorina Nwachukwu will be competing for Germany in the 400m with the Paris 200 metres world champion, Muriel Hurtis-Houairi of France, Bejing 400 hurdles finalist Zuzana Hejnova of the Czech Republic and current World junior bronze medalist Bianca Razor of Romania while the other Nigerian, Imo state born and Norway base Ezinne Okparaebo, in Norway’s color will do the women’s 60m with French sprinters Myriam Soumaré and Véronique Mang and Russia’s Aleksandra Fedoriva.

Metu Returns from Training with Usain Bolt

                                                      Metu and G4S officials

G4S 4teen athlete and Nigerian sprinter, Obinna Metu, has returned from having ‘the time of his life’ in Jamaica, training with Usain Bolt and his coach Glen Mills.  One of the G4S 4teen athletes, Obinna was given a unique opportunity to spend the last 2 months training alongside the fastest man in the World and his expert sprint coach.

The charismatic young athletics star has risen quickly to the top of his sport, having already competed at both the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2009 IAAF Athletics World Championships, and he is fast becoming a man to take notice of on the international stage.    

Last week Obinna said farewell to his new found friends in Jamaica and headed home to Nigeria with a short stopover in London.  

Nigerians To Pick Sports For All Africa, Olympics Games

With few months to the commencement of the 2011 All Africa Games in Mozambique,

Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Prof. Taoreed Adedoja has revealed that Nigerian sports enthusiasts will be given the chance to decide events that Nigeria would feature at the All African games and the 2012 London Olympics.

The Minister said this in Abuja during an interactive session that the idea behind what he called a new innovation is to let the Nigerian people as important stakeholders to participate in the selection of the very sports that they will like the athletes to represent them in during the games.

Adedoja said he as the minister of sports will only announce the names of the sports that would be selected by Nigerian sports stakeholders at the end of the public hearing.

“We are going to hold a public hearing for Nigerians to meet and discuss our preparations and participation in the 2011 All Africa Games and 2012 Olympic Games in London.

“It is not going to be a jamboree or business as usual. It is going to be voluntary stakeholders meeting. Those who want to make sacrifice will attend and make contributions,” he said

Domike place first at Iowa State

Nigeria triple jumper and silver medalist at the 2010 Africa Senior Athletics Championship in Nairobi, Kenya, Nkeiruka Domike placed first in the triple jump at the Iowa State Invite this past weekend.

UNO Seniors Nkeiruka Domike came first at the Iowa State Open at the Lied Recreation Center in Ames, Iowa.

She came first in the triple jump with a leap of 42-8, which was just over nine inches short of the mark she set the weekend before at the Holiday Inn Invitational in Lincoln.

Noah Akwu Wins Athletics Award

                                                                  Noah Akwu

Middle Tennessee trackman Noah Akwu has been named track athlete of the week by the US league office. Akwu received the recognition for his performances at last weekend’s Rod McCravy Memorial in Lexington, Kentucky.

Akwu earned the first conference nod of his MT career for his fourth place finish in the 400 meters and also held the top Sun Belt mark entering the weekend. He bettered his standing time by almost a half second, clocking a time of 47.49, 28th fastest in the NCAA.

Noah will return to action on Saturday as they play host to the 2011 Middle Tennessee Invitational.

It would be recalled that Akwu placed fifth (fourth collegiately) in the 400 meters at the Rod McCravy Memorial running 47.49, the fastest time in the Sun Belt Conference this season. The sophomore’s time is the 28th fastest in the NCAA this season. He entered the weekend with the fastest time in the conference.

Grace Oma bidding Time

2009 African Junior Championships gold medalist in the 4x400m in Mauritius, Grace Chimekwene Oma in this chat vows to make an impact when she starts this season with Nigeria.

The Delta state Edo born athlete who now studies in the University of Texas El Paso with Nigerian trio of Blessing Okagbare, Endurance Abinuwa and Nwaubani Gladys started full time athletics in 2002 after being discovered by some local coaches during an event classic.

At a tender age, Oma first attracted attention when she bagged the gold medals in the 800m and 1, 500m during the 2010 Nkoyo Ibori competition as well as competing in the last two national festivals where she won 2 silver medals in the 800m.

                                     Grace Chimekwene Oma (L) and Endurance Abinuwa.

She also emerged winner at the 2007 and 2010 Mobil track in the 800m dash.

“When I started athletics, it was always my goal to represent my country.

“Going to the African Junior Championships gave me a taste of what it is like, which has made me more determined to represent my country and do well.”

She however revealed her aim of staying injury-free in order to do well at the international circuits this year.

“As an athlete, injury is one thing we all pray against because when it comes, it can really demoralize one.  So I want to be cautious and make sure I’m injury free so as to achieve my goals on track this season.”

It is the dream of every athlete to make it to the World stage and represent his or her country in international championships, in her own summation, Oma wants to be among the best in her field and hope to one day, be among the team that will place Nigeria on the number one spot in medal tables.

“It is always good when one is called to represent his or her country in championships and thereby making it in World Championships.

“Being the best is the dream of every athlete including me and I hope to one day be among the athletes that will put Nigeria in the number sport in medal tables of championships,” she added.

Oma however regretted that the National Sports Festival, which has become an annual event to discover young talents earlier billed for 2010 but postponed to February 2011 may not hold after being postponed to June 2011.

“When I heard of the postponement of the national sports festival, I really didn't like it because my coach was already getting me prepared. It was a little demoralizing, but all the same I was not so worried because I have couple of indoor competitions to put me in shape for the big stage this year.”