By Uzor Odigbo
The National Trials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is set to hold at the Stephen Okechukwu Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State Capital this weekend.
The National Trials is aim at selecting Nigeria’s athletics team for the African Games to hold in Accra, Ghana, from 8th to 23rd March 2024.
AFN has made plans for all technical officials’ allowances for the period of the trials as well as the cost of moving equipment and secretariat to Asaba.
It’s however expected that female Athletes in Diaspora such as Tima Godbless, and perhaps Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma will attend the meet as they are overwhelming favorite for the women’s 100m/ 200m titles in Asaba this weekend if they show up for the Trials
Rosemary Chukwuma ran a PB of 7.11s in her debut 60m race of the season last year,
Youngsters like Faith Okwose and Tiana Eyakpobeyan will be hoping to cause a rare upset and perhaps secure their first senior national call-up in the 4x100m relay team in Asaba Trials.
Nigeria’s never say die quarter-miler, an Olympian, Patience Okon George is among senior AthIetes that will be In Asaba to context for slots in 400m women and mixed 400m relays.
The men’s 400m is another highly anticipated event, having the presence of NCAA standout athlete Dubem Nwachukwu.
Nwachukwu was exceptional in the NCAA, in 2023 and expected to make a mark this time around being the second time the US based lad would be representing Nigeria.
He was in Budapest, where his targets was to win his first Nigerian title and helping the 4x400m relay team hit the standard. But could not happen.
Also in the mix to win his first senior title is new sensation Samuel Ogazi, who’s undefeated on home soil in 2023 season. Ifeanyi Ojeli has found his groove back, Raphael Egbuchilem and Samson Nathaniel are top podium contenders as well.
AthIetics prodigy, Samuel Ogazi blazes to sub-46s at AFN Golden League in Abuja last year and he is coming up slowly following his efforts in the Abuja AFN meet last weekend.
World silver medallist Ese Brume if she comes to Asaba will be the outright favourite, but this time she will have a mouthwatering clash with Ruth Usoro, who is also at her best this season.
Tough contest between Africa long jump record holder Ese Brume and Ruth Usoro, if anything goes wrong for Brume, it’ll be one of the biggest upsets at the trials.
Ruth Usoro soars to the fifth-best jump in the world in Bermuda last year, while Brume has continued to improve this year.
In the women’s Discus throw, defending champion Chioma Onyekwere, NCAA silver medallist Ashley Anumba, and National Sports Festival champion Obiageri Amaechi are capable of being crowned the winner in Asaba.
Onyekwere swings Discus to African Record Chioma Onyekwere is the defending champion in the women’s Discus event.
Powerful and trusted Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put, and Nnamdi Chinecherem in the men’s javelin throw (if present), will be unchallenged for the title in their events for at the Asaba Trials and Africa Games in Ghana.
Expectedly, the AFN has been the Official technical partner of Making of Champions (MoC) at its events and ratifying all the results for global recognition by World Athletics to enable qualification for major global events such as the Olympics this year.
Meanwhile, in Asaba this weekend , AFN says the competition will not be all about the Africa Games Trials as invitations of at 100 Junior and Senior Secondary Schools to register and participate in three individual athletics events, from which they will also select their 4x100m relay teams