AFN Reconfirms April 5th - 6th For Olukoya Juniors

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has reconfirmed next Tuesday and Wednesday, April 5 and 6 for the National Under-16 and Under-18 Athletics Championships scheduled to hold at the Sports Complex of the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.

Secretary General of the AFN, Mrs. Maria Wophill said that letters of the new dates for the junior championships named after Dr. D. K. Olukoya, the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles have already been dispatched.

 “We are using this medium to call on all athletics clubs, schools and states that sent in entries previously before the shift in dates to reconfirm their participation to help our logistics,” observed the former handball player.

While assuring athletes and officials coming for the junior meet of subsidized stay in Lagos, the AFN scribe insisted that there is no room for athletes competing for paramilitary bodies like the police, customs, immigration, civil defense etc.

“Any athlete representing forces and Para-military forces like the Civil Defense, Customs, Police etc are no longer going to be allowed to compete in Under-16 and Under-18 championships any more. So, we are starting to enforce the rule with the Dr. D. K Olukoya National Under-18 Championship slated for April 5 and 6 in Lagos. It is one of the ways in which we hope will stamp out cheating from junior competitions. Henceforth, we want junior competitions for juniors. It is one of the ways of truly stamping out over-aged athletes from junior events,” stressed the AFN scribe.

AFN Concentrating On Olympic Games Preparations- Bada

The Technical/Performance Director of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Sunday Bada has said the major concern of the federation is to organize series of training programmes that will enhance the athlete’s medal winning prospect and make Nigeria proud at the 2012 Olympic Games in England.

The former sprinter said the Federation knows its area of strength in the All African Games billed for Mozambique and would not relent in their efforts to top the medal table in the athletics event, stressing that the best athletes at the Games would represent Nigeria at the World Athletics Championship.

Bada said the AFN has concluded plans to invite its best athletes to participate in the World Athletics Championship which according to him would serve as an avenue to put Nigerian athletes to test ahead of the Olympic Games.

He said the AFN was working seriously on its area of strength especially in the Relay event so as to sustain its records in the Olympic Games and also to put their wards in competition mood to win laurels at international tournaments.

Oyo Assures Athletes Payment Of Backlog Salaries

Succor will this week come the way of Oyo State Athletes and Coaches who were owed backlog of salaries and allowances.

The acting General Manager of Oyo State Sports Council Mrs. Folake

Oyelakin said that arrangement have been concluded to commence the pay this week.

Oyo Athletes camping ahead of the coming National Sports Festival slated for Rivers State were groaning in hunger, due to four months salaries been owed them by their employers.

Oyelakin who pleaded with the athletes said the development was never intentional, but the delay came as a result of bureaucratic bottleneck the agency experience recently.

She said the Governor of the State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala has given his words concerning the welfare of athletes, that it should be giving a priority to get the best out of them.

“We have appealed to our athletes to bear with us, as all their monies will be paid this week, our Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala is a sports lover, and he had demonstrated that to the athletes on many occasions by appreciating their efforts through monetary incentives each time they do the state proud”, Oyelakin noted.

Athletes To Get Presidential Reward Saturday

The long delayed presidential reward to Nigeria athletes will eventually come to pass if information reaching here is anything to go by.

According to a report, athletes who did well for Nigeria in 2009 and 2010 will be rewarded by President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday, the 26th of March 2011, four months after at the Banquet Hall, in Aso Rock, Abuja.

A total of 13 national teams are involved in the reception which was postponed indefinitely last December.

A committee was set up by the Federal Government to look into the reward system of the country and the recommendation of the body is what Mr. President is expected to implement on Saturday.

President Jonathan is expected to reward those athletes to encourage them to do more and to also make other athletes aspire for success in international events.

Those involved are the national teams to the U-17 FIFA World Youth Championship, Nigeria 2009,

the 19th Commonwealth Games, Delhi 2010, the U-20 Women World Championship, Germany 2010, the1st Youth Olympic Games, Singapore 2010, the African Women Football Championship, South Africa 2010, the Africa Scrabble Championship, Ghana 2010, the World Junior Athletics Championship, Canada 2010 and the Africa Athletics Championship, Kenya 2010,

Others are the athletes to the All Africa Senior Badminton Championship, Kenya 2010, the World Wrestling Championship, Russia 2010, the African Junior Wrestling Championship, Egypt 2010, the African Senior Wrestling Championship, Egypt 2010 and the African Junior Weightlifting Championship, Egypt 2010.

Ogunmola Clocks 1.18 seconds In 600m

Nairobi 2010 Africa Championships silver medalist, Ogunmola Tobi set a personal best time of 1. 18 seconds in the 600meter dash thereby creating the All Comers 600meters record over the weekend at the Shagamu stadium, Ogun State.

The senior athlete, who commended the Athletics Federation of Nigeria for the All Comers Championship which he described as a good initiative for talent hunting, also predicted a good outing for Nigeria in 2011.

“I was over joy when I saw that I have gotten the All Comers best time and a personal best.  

“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.”

“I did not take part in the first All Comers but when I saw the time by Onakoya Abiola who had the fastest 600m time, I decided to take part in the 2^nd All Comers and try as much as possible to beat his time and I did it.” 

Meanwhile, Coach Uzoamaka Eddoh, who coaches Tobi Ogunmola said with proper training, Tobi will run 46.1sec in the Golden League coming up soon.

It would be recalled that Onakoya Abiola had the fastest All Comers time in the 600meters with a personal best of 1.18.80 seconds while Ogunmola did 1.18.70seconds during the weekend to stand as the new 600meters record holder.

Athletes Bemoan Change Of Venue Of 2nd All Comers

Some of the athletes that partook in the 2^nd Athletics Federation of Nigeria 2^nd All Comers championship at the Gateway Stadium in Shagamu over the weekend have re echoed the lack of cohesion in Nigeria.

The athletes who don’t want their names in print said scheduling the 2^nd All Comers in two locations was in the first place an error. They said after spending money to Ijebu Ode, they were surprised when they were told on Thursday evening that the event has been moved to Shagamu.

“I think it is high time we do things right in Nigeria, I don’t think it is right for the AFN to take us to Ijebu Ode and later said the event has been shifted to Shagamu that is not right at all.” “Most of the athletes here are suffering and the little we have should be spent on other things and not transporting for one venue to another,” said a junior athlete.

A former national athlete who graces the event as a spectator said the AFN should consider the hardship most of these athletes are going through and help them by scheduling events in venues that will help ameliorate their conditions.

Meanwhile, an official of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria who also don’t want name in print said Shagamu was later considered because of the basic amenities it has compared to Ijebu ode.

The official said at the Ijebu ode venue, there is no water, accommodation will be a big problem for the athletes and the astro turf pitch all contributed to the change of the venue.

It would be recalled that the 2^nd All Comers was scheduled to take place at the Ijebu Ode stadium and the Gateway stadium in Shagama, Ogun State but was later taken to Shagamu Gateway stadium.

All Comers, Sign Of Good Things To Come - Suleiman

Coach Tunde Suleiman has hailed the introduction of the All Comers Meet by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria stating that it is a good sign that the federation is thinking about improving the standard of performance of the athletes.

"The All Comers offers us coaches and athletes the opportunity to gauge just how far we have prepared for the season.

“The competition is good for us, now we can go back and work on the areas where we need to improve,” said Suleiman, a former national long jumper.

He said from what he saw in the All Comers, there is hope that the athletes will do well in the season. However, he noted that the male athletes are lagging behind in their events and they need to do more to improve.

“I saw some promise from female athletes like Margaret Etim, Bukola Abogunloko, and Blessing Ibrahim who jumps. If they can sustain their form, I see them doing well in the season ahead. Like the men, Toby Ogumola and Onakoya Abiola did well but they need to improve more on their speed,” said Suleiman.

Senior Athletes Are In Trouble- Obisasen

The crop of senior athletes representing Nigeria has been told to brace up as upcoming athletes proved their mettle and determination to break into the rank of the senior team in up coming championships.

According to Coach Micheal Lateef Obisasen, the national athletes are in trouble in maintaining their position in the team as the performances of some of the athletes in the 2^nd All Comers held during the weekend in Shagamu has shown that there will be stiff competition making it to the Nigeria athletics team for all the championships coming up this year.

Obisasen maintained that the All Comers has brought out the best from the athletes as they were made to compete in different events.

“The senior athletes will have to brace up because with what I have seen here, they are in serious trouble of losing their position in the team. In a situation where the young athletes are creating and breaking old records shows that they senior athletes should watch it and put more effort in their own performance.

“I support the All Comers because it was events like this that were use to discover good athletes in time past and it will help the athletes be in good shape before the Golden league and Mobil tracks.” 

While commending the athletes and their coaches for partaking in the event even when there was no price money, Obisasen said the Athletics Federation lacks sponsors and ask that corporate organization should key into events like this as it will give them more customers for their product.

Ajunwa Kick Drugs Off Sport

Olympic gold medalist, Chioma Ajuwan Oparah has reiterated the need for Nigeria athletes to shun drugs as it will not only destroy their career, it will also place them in an uncomfortable position in life.

In a paper presented to the athletes at the Shagamu Gateway stadium during the 2^nd All Comers championship in the weekend, the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) stated that the use of narcotics by athletes is illegal as they have been banned by the various sports authorities all over the world.

Stating drugs commonly use by the athletes, the Olympian said Alcohol, Amphetamines, Anabolic Steroids, Caffeine, Cannabis, Cocaine, Ecstasy, Inhalants, Nicotine, Opiates, Phencyclidine, Seductive, Hypnotic or Atntianxiety drugs are all common with sports people.

She however adviced that athletes should not take the name of the country to the mud as their indulging in drugs use will make things difficult for the Athletics federation of Nigeria.

She also advices the Athletics Federation to get sports doctors for the athletes as it will go a great deal in helping the federation to curb the use of drugs by the athletes while also advising the coaches to always interact with the athletes.

Ajunwa maintained that the up to 18 national athletes serving different sanction and the 3 pending case from the Commonwealth Games in India last year is not too good to the country and the AFN.

“We have to take the fight against drugs very serious because right now our results are very poor in the international scene and that is not good for the country and the AFN, things like these might even deprive the AFN from getting sponsors for events.

“I am pleading with all the athletes to please shun the use of drugs as it will ruin your careers as sports ambassadors, like the about 18 athletes serving their different sanction now and also the 3 from the Commonwealth Games who are yet to know their faith.

“I will advice the AFN to get sport doctors for the athletes because if the doctors are there, the athletes will then know what vitamin supplements to take.

Athletes Still Waiting For Presidential Reward

The year 2010 went into history as expected leaving sour memories in the mind of the Nigerian athletes. It was a year that ended without the so-much-anticipated Presidential rewards for the Nigerian athletes that won laurels for the country in major international competitions for the year. There were high expectations that President Goodluck Jonathan would host the athletes in December last year and shower either praises or naira on them. Or both! But that rain never fell. Almost coming to the end of the first quarter of the New Year, not the slightest glimpse of hope has emanated from the seat of power as to when these great Nigerians will be decorated by Mr. President.

The excuse before the end of the year was that Mr. President was too busy to host the athletes since the National Sports Commission (NSC) came out with a uniform reward for all the country’s sports men and women. The Presidency bought the idea and a committee with the Secretary to the Federal Government as chairman and members from the Finance Ministry, NSC and other ministries. A letter was forwarded to the Presidency for a date in December but till date no reply has been sent to fix the date.

The anxiety of the Nigerian athletes was aggravated in November when the victorious Super Falcons who won the African Women Championship in South Africa for a record sixth time were given red carpet reception at the Aso Villa. Yet other heroes and heroines that went for the Commonwealth Games in India, the athletes that competed and did well at the IAAF and the African Athletics Championship in Kenya were kept waiting for the Presidential blessing which is fast becoming the endless wait that is common in Nigeria.

We can see the wisdom in the harmonization method proposed by the NSC but if the president’s wife received the Female Under 20 team that almost won the World Cup, at  the goose should also be sauce for the gender. The other athletes deserve recognition from the government. The athletes that went to New Delhi deserve whatever the government can offer for a feat that was last achieved 16 years ago.

In a nutshell, year 2010 was glorious for Nigeria in terms of sports. It was a year that Nigeria made a bold statement that the country is ready to take her place in the community of sporting nations.

Leaving the athletes to keep waiting endlessly is not a good way to say thank you to the gallant citizens that have brought honor to the nation.

We are aware that the President is very busy with his campaigns. Yes, the President did not want to delegate the responsibility of receiving the athletes to anyone. But what happens after that. We feel that taking just an evening off to receive these athletes won’t in any way affect the outcome of the general election next month. In fact, it will simply be part of the victory celebration just as it will enhance better acceptance for Mr. President by the youth of this country who will now know that they have a future with President Jonathan in the saddle.

If the lawmakers are being celebrated at every stratum of governance in Nigeria, if the workers’ welfare package is being looked into by the government, then our athletes deserve a better treatment from the Presidency.

While we await the largesse from Aso Rock, we want to advise the government to pay more attention to sports especially this year that’s loaded with activities. Money for championships should be released as and when due rather than wait for the eleventh hour when it will be useless. We also want the National Assembly to be meticulous about the budgets for all the major events this year to forestall a situation where money will not be allocated for one event like the Singapore Youth Olympics last year. This year, we want to see more Nigerian athletes mounting the podium while the National Anthem is being sung. That can only be possible with the support of Aso Rock and the almighty NASS.

We hope the Presidential reward is not another white elephant project in Nigeria.

Athletes Set For 2nd AFN All Comers

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria All Comers Championship enters its second series this weekend at the Shagamu Township Stadium and the Ijebu Ode Stadium.

Just like the first edition, the second is also going to be free as the federation could not get sponsors for the event.

As the day draws closer, top Nigerian athletes have reacted to the event which some says is a good development as it will help in capturing young athletes.

According to 2010 ECOWAS Games U-23 gold medalist, Agbaje Ovie Fredrick who said that though the event is free, he is set to do what he knows how to do best, by going to Ijebu Ode to run.

The Ososo in Edo state born athlete said commendation should be given to the AFN for this very sound and innovative initiative of trying to catch young athletes for the future.

“Though athletes are not getting the necessary support, we have to commend the AFN for putting this up, I did not take part in the first edition, but I am all set for the second edition this weekend, I am going there to do what I know best, which is winning,” he said.

Also speaking on the 2nd All comers, another ECOWAS 2010 gold medalist, Onakoya Abiola, who had a swell time in the first edition by running a personal best of 1.18 seconds in the 600m and also having the second fastest time in the 300m with a time of 33.4 seconds said the All Comers series is a good sign that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria is serious about bringing out the best of athlete’s by keeping them in shape and discovering new once. He said he is ready to reignite the spark that saw him performing well in the first edition.

“This is a good sign that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria is keeping to it’s word that Nigeria athletics will be better this year, this All Comers thing is really good, it will help in keeping the athletes in competitive mood and also discover new once”.

Similarly, 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 2nd All Comers Championships coming up in Ijebu Ode and stated her readiness to give her best just as she did in the first edition.

Bukola, who represented Ekiti state in the championship, ran the fastest time in the female 300m dash.

Track events of this 2nd All Comers are to take place in Ijebu Ode while all field events will take place in the same Shagamu Stadium where the first edition took place.

Events to be competed for at the two-day track fiesta in Ijebu ode and Shagamu 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).

Adedoja Reassures Nigerians On All African Games Preparations

The Minister of Sports, Professor Taoheed Adedoja has reassured Nigerians that preparations for the 10th All-Africa Games to be held in Maputo, Mozambique from September 3 - 18, 2011 is on the right track.

Prof. Adedoja, who doubles as the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) said in Abuja that Nigerians should be rest assured that the Commission was preparing Team Nigeria adequately for the games.

“Preparations for the All-Africa Games is an on-going exercise. It is continuous and camping of athletes is just one aspect of it,” Adedoja said.

“Camping is only an aspect of the preparation; there are other very important aspects, such as the exposure of athletes to various competitions both home and abroad so if we don't have all athletes in camp for the games at the moment, Nigerians should not be alarmed. We are really preparing.

“The competitions they are partaking in now helps to keep them busy and not just being kept in camps. The point is that our athletes are currently busy in many competitions across the world.” “For example, our Paralympics athletes are in Dubai for a competition and they have been doing well and setting new records."

“This, I can confidently inform, is part of their preparations not only for the AAG but the 2012 Olympics in London,” he added.

Adedoja who noted that Nigeria will be participating with about 800 athletes, also mentioned that various sports federations whose athletes would be representing Nigeria in Mozambique had been staging various local competitions while also sending them to international competitions.

AFN Moves 2nd All Comers to Ijebu Ode

…All field events to hold at Sagamu Stadium

The 2nd edition of the 2011 All Nigeria All Comers and 10km Road Race earlier scheduled for Ado-Ekiti has been moved to the Gateway International Stadium in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

According to Mrs. Rita Akande, the assistant secretary of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) the need to move the championships to Ijebu Ode was precipitated by what she called ‘logistic reasons.’

While admitting the short notice the change of venue may cause invited states, clubs and athletes, the AFN scribe pleaded for understanding, stressing that the dates of competitions remain March 18 and 19.

“We want the best environment for our athletes to compete and when plans were not going as scheduled, there was the urgent need to relocate to Ijebu Ode,” observed Mrs Akande.

Just like the first edition which Sagamu hosted last month, the AFN stressed that states and clubs coming to the Ijebu-Ode All Comers and Road race should brace up to be responsible for their upkeep during the competition.

“We have no provision for subsidy of any kind for any athlete or official. This is not a sponsored event and so do not have money to give out,” observed the federation staff.

Meanwhile, Sunday Bada, the Technical/performance director of the AFN has confirmed that only track events of this second All Comers are to take place in Ijebu Ode while all field events, including Long Jump and Triple jump will take place in the same Sagamu Stadium where the first edition took place.

He listed events to be competed for at the two-day track fiesta in Ijebu ode and Sagamu 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).

NCAA Division 11: Nkeruka In Another record Jump

Nigeria triple jumper and The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) long and triple jumper, Nkeiruka Domike during the weekend won her second consecutive national title with a meet record jump of 43-11.75 at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field National Championships at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

The Omaha’s jumper only had one legal triple jump, but it turned out to be the only one necessary to win the triple jump competition.

Domike, who had fouled on five of her six attempts, leaped 13.40 meters (43-11 ¾) on her second attempt to set the meet record in the process.

It would be recalled that

Nkeruka Domike, early In February, broke the MIAA record in the triple jump during the league indoor track and field championships at Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Mo.

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 and earlier in January, she 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.

NCAA Division 1: Abinuwa Finishes Fourth, Earn All-American Crown

University of Texas in El Paso (UTEP) and Nigeria sprinter, Endurance Abinuwa finished fourth in the women's 400-meter race crossing the finish line at 53.06 in the second of two heats at the just concluded 2011 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships.

The Miners will have two more awards to hang on the All-American walls when Endurance Abinuwa and team mate, Risper Kimaiyo return home from the 2011 NCAA Track and Field Championships.

Abinuwa traveled to College Station during the weekend and added to the UTEP track and field legacy giving her first-year head coach, Mika Laaksonen his first All-Americans as a head coach. The All-American honors will be official when announced by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

While speaking of her feat during the weekend, Abinuwa said that, “This is a great accomplishment for me; it is my first top finish at a national meet. I had the worst lane to run in section two. It is hard to break fast and get into position from that lane and I was trailing everybody else in the heat at the 200m mark. I succeeded because I stayed patient and finished strong in the last 100 meters to gain one position in my heat and probably two in the competition.

“It is difficult to see student-athletes succeed at this level but my working hard on and off the field really helped me.”

Abinuwa scored five points with the fourth-place finish.

Abinuwa will open outdoor competition on March 26th when UTEP host the Springtime Invitational at Kidd Field.

NCAA Division 1: Akwu Earns 200m All-American Crown

Middle Tennessee trackman and Nigeria sprinter, Noah Akwu during the weekend was crowned NCAA All-American in the 200-meter dash for his performance at the 2011 NCAA Indoor Track and Field National Championships. Akwu placed sixth in a final round time of 20.86 to earn the honor.

Entering last weekend final, the Egume native placed fifth in the preliminary heat also in a time of 20.86 to qualify for the championship round, both times missed Middle Tennessee Mardy Scale’s 20.84 seconds.

With the title, Akwu becomes the second Middle Tennessee athlete to be named All-American in the 200-meter dash. Christian Nsiah was crowned such in 1996. He is also the first Blue Raider to win All-American in a track event since Orlando Reid in 2007 and first male indoor winner since Juan Walker in 2006.

His sixth place finish gives the team three points at the championships.

The sprinter, who was some weeks back crowned athlete of the week said Nigerians should expect a better Akwu during the Mobil track in June and the IAAF World Championships coming up in August in Korea.

According to Noah’s Coach, “We do not have a lot of athletes take All-American in this race,” he said. “Often our runners will qualify for this race as well as the jumping event and they interfere with each other. I am very proud of Noah to run that time twice in the same night”

Akwu will rejoin his teammates as they will compete at the 2011 Rhodes Open Meet this weekend.

Noah Akwu, Abinuwa Qualifies For NCAA

…As Obikwelu Stun World Champion

Nigeria Middle Tennessee sprinter, Noah Akwu will this week return to the track as he takes on other athletes in the United State of America for the 2011 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships which will take place at Texas A&M University this weekend. Noah will be running the 200m.

Akwu will be the second athlete from Tennessee to represent the school after putting up some splendid performances that saw him winning athlete of the week award on two occasions during the 2011 indoors.

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. He bettered his standing time by almost a half second, clocking a time of 47.49 seconds at the Sun Belt Indoor Championships in Jonesboro, Ark., becoming the first MTSU runner to win the event since 2006.

It would be recalled that Akwu played a key part in the Blue Raiders, as the Middle Tennessee is also called in winning the Sun Belt Conference indoor title last Monday.

Akwu won the 400 and the 200 meters, he also ran one leg of MTSU’s victorious 4x400 relay team.

With at least a part of three first-place finishes, Akwu helped MTSU’s men win their third indoor league title. For his pivotal performance, Akwu is the BlueRaiders.com Athlete of the Week.

In a related development, University of Texas in El Paso (UTEP) sprinter, Endurance Abinuwa will also take part at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NACC) championships this week.

Abinuwa will run the 400m and will be joined by another UTEP sprinter, Kimaiyo.

Meanwhile, Nigeria born and Portugal sprinter, Francis Obikwelu on Sunday upset defending champion Dwain Chambers and home favorite Christophe Lemaitre to seize the 60 metres title at the European indoor championships in a national record of 6.53 seconds.