Athletes storm Abuja for World Ch/ships qualifiers
Foreign-based and locally-based athletes in different categories have stormed Abuja the Federal Capital Territory to compete in the 2017 All Nigeria Athletics Championship billed to start today at the main bowl of Abuja National Stadium.
Secretary of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, Amaechi Akawo said the championship is a qualifier for the 16th World Championship holding in London from August 3 to 14.
“This championship essentially is going to provide a platform for more Nigerians to qualify for the World Meet in London next month. Some Nigerians have already qualified but we want use this platform to give more athletes the opportunity to qualify,” he said.
He disclosed that the AFN has created some incentives for athletes and to encourage greater participation by way of providing accommodation, feeding and medals in the category of gold, silver and bronze for first, second and third positions numbering up to 144 from 48 events.
Akawo further disclosed that Nigeria’s queen of the tracks Blessing Okagbare, Yinka Ajayi, Nathaniel Glory, Samson Glory, Amuzia Stephen and Chukwuebuka and others making up 12 athletes have already qualified for the world championship in London.
The AFN scribe maintained that there is never a vacuum created by the cancellation of the elections onto the board of the AFN adding, “Structure has been set up and it is our expectations that the programmes will continue till all formalities of setting up a new board is completed.”
He noted that there would not be any technical hitch as everything towards organizing a successful championship has been put in place even with the technical and officiating officials holding their meeting on Wednesday at the venue.
Ben Nwachukwu, Abuja
