Why All Nigeria Relays Is Important- Nesiama

The All Nigeria Relays which started at the Dino Dipo stadium in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State last weekend has been given a thumbs up by the Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Navy Commodore Nesiama Omatseye.

According to Nesiama, the country’s men relay teams have been struggling and starting early would strengthen the athletes to prepare them for an early qualification to the World Championships in Moscow, Russia later in August.

“The All Nigeria Relays came up at the right time and this is good for us. If you noticed, we did not do well last season and our men team did not qualify for the Olympics and starting early this year will give them the opportunity to run many relays and qualify them for the World Championship in August,” he said.

Speaking on coordination, Nesiama said, “Our relay teams have been lacking coordination in recent times; we believe it was as a result of lack of practice, the relay event becomes necessary to get athletes off the ground early and it will help conclude the athletes for the season.”

Meanwhile, the next edition of the All Nigeria Relays comes up this weekend in Warri and it will be an all field events to test run the Estimated Distance Measurement (EDM) machine that will be use for the Africa Youth Athletics Championship next week in same venue. Commodore Nesiama stated that expect from France will arrive Nigeria Thursday for the EDM.