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).