THE Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is preparing a ‘special squad’ to battle for relay tickets for this year’s World Championships to be held in Budapest, Hungary, in August.
With the national trials to select the nation’s flag bearers to the World Championships set to hold at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, from 5 to 7 July, the AFN’s ‘special squad’ is expected to depart for Lome, Togo, on 8 July, to participate in the Region 2 Athletics Championships with the hope of picking the relay tickets to Budapest.
Top on the list of the Men’s 4x100m relay team is U.S.-based star, Godson Oghenebrume, who is coming to the national trials in Benin City with a massive Personal Best of 9.90 seconds.
There is also Udodi Onwuzurike, who recently raced to a New Personal Best of 9.92 seconds (100m) and 19.76 seconds (200m). The list also includes Favour Ashe (9.96s), Itsekiri Ushoritse (10.02s) and Akintan Sunday (10. 28s).
For the men’s 4x400m relay, the AFN has listed the rave of the moment, U.S.-based Dubem Nwachukwu, who will be competing for Team Nigeria for the first time.
Nwachukwu, with a massive Personal Best of 44.81s, recently dumped the United States to compete for his fatherland, a move that is commended by many athletics lovers across the nation.
Also on AFN’s ‘special squad’ for the 4x400m relay is Ezekiel Nathaniel (45.69s), Raphael Eghuchulem (45.79s) the best home-based star this season, Samuel Ogazi (45.91s) and Chidera Nnamani (46.37s).
For the women’s 4X400m team, Nigeria’s flag bearers to the Africa Region 2 contest in Togo are Imaobong Ntse, Ella Onojuwvewo, Patience Okon-George, Queen Osunobun and Esther Joseph.
Other potential events in Togo include the High Jump, where Justin Osigwe will compete in the male event, while Tope Adesina will battle in the women’s event.
World Championship silver medallist, Ese Brume, and Ruth Osoro will represent Team Nigeria in the Women’s Triple Jump and Long Jump events, while Prosper Akporere is the sole candidate for the men’s 110m hurdles.
AFN’s Head Coach, Seigha Porbeni, said on Wednesday, that the ‘tentative team for Lome, Togo, would be confirmed after the national trials in Benin City.
Eighteen-Eleven Media