By Jonathan Ugbal
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh on Tuesday expressed his admiration towards the dedication and performance of Nigerian athletes at the ongoing All Nigeria Athletics Championships, 2024 National Trials organized by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN holding at the Samuel Ogbemudia sports stadium in Benin city, the Edo State capital.
The Minister who has been cheering athletes at the trial which the AFN will use to pick Nigeria’s representatives at both the African Senior Championships in Doula, Cameroon and the Paris Olympics notes that many have achieved personal best times and earned qualifications, which he said is significant.
“Our track and field athletes turned up for the National trials, and this is highly commendable,” a statement issued by his spokesperson, Diana-Mary Nsan reads.
“Some of them have earned qualifications for the Olympics, done their personal best, and much more at these National trials. Our athletes have proven their mettle in athletics beyond the continent, and it is our place to give them all the needed support,” the Minister added while commending the AFN and promising to lead the team to Doula.
“This is an Olympic year, and track and field holds enormous potential for our nation. We thank the leadership of the AFN, coaches, and our superstar athletes who keep breaking barriers to emerge as winners. The government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is solidly behind you,” he said.
The Minister’s presence in Benin City underscores the importance of the national trials which witnessed record entries in 2024 and, “the government’s dedication to fostering a supportive environment for Nigerian athletes as they prepare to compete on the global stage,” the statement added.
Record Attendance And Performance
27 year old Tobi Amusan has claimed her fourth consecutive national title in the women’s 100 meters hurdles event after clocking 12.78 seconds following her initial win in Lagos in 2021.
Also, In Shot Put, world’s number eight thrower, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi clinched his fourth consecutive men’s national title after hitting the 21.37m mark in only three attempts. This is his fifth overall title with his first win coming in the Sapele 2016 trials.
Kanyinsola Ajayi won the men’s 100-meter crown after posting 10.14 seconds on the clock, defeating Alaba Akintola, who clocked 10.16 seconds, as well as Usheoritse Itsekiri who posted 10.22 seconds on the clock.
21 year old Favour Ofili clocked a season-best 11.06 seconds to win the national title and booked an automatic qualification for the Paris Olympics after finishing ahead of Olayinka Olajide, who came second in 11.37 seconds, and Commonwealth Youth Games silver medal winner, Justina Eyakpobeyan who placed third with 11.47 seconds in the women’s 100 meters race.
Ofili’s time was enough to secure her qualification for the Olympics which will take place in Paris from Friday, July 26, 2024 to Sunday, August 11, 2024. However, Ajayi did not secure qualifications as he needed a time of 10.0 seconds.
In Long Jump, Charles Godfred, Goodness Iredia and Emma Njoku all achieved 8.0 meters or more which was the first time in 12 years since the trials were held in Calabar for three jumpers to achieve their feat.
The trio, however, failed to achieve the Olympics qualifying standard of 8.27 meters with Godfred, a former junior athlete at African Championships in Ndola, Zambia, leaping 8.16 meters, while Iredia and Njoku tied at 8.00 meters. These are all personal bests for the jumpers, a promising act for the sport.
Meanwhile, 16 year old Weng Dachung from Jos, Plateau State wowed spectators with his stamina at the 5,000 meter run.
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