The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has released team of 37 athletes
that will be representing the country at the Commonwealth Games
holding  in Gold Coast, Australia from April 4th to 15th, 2018.
Top on the list of athletes is Blessing Okagbare, who is also the
reigning Commonwealth Games record holder in the women’s 100m.
Also entered  Okagbare is Oluwatobiloba Amusan who now competes for
Adidas, and will be a major contender in the 100m Hurdles. Winners in
several events at the recently-held Commonwealth Games Trials in
Abuja, also made the list.
They include Enoch Adegoke (men’s 100m), Emmanuel Arowolo (men’s
200m), Emmanuel Bamidele (men’s 400m), Oyeniyi Abejoye (110m Hurdles),
Patience Okon-George (women’s 400m), Queen Obisesan (women’s Hammer
throw), Fadekemi Olude (women’s 20km Walk race) and Blessing Ibrahim
(women’s Triple Jump).
Others are Samuel Adams (men’s Javelin), Precious Okoronkwo (women’s
Long Jump), Isoken Igbinosun (women’s 100m/200m), Eke Kalu Onwuka
(men’s Shot put), Grace Ayemoba (100m Hurdles), Glory Nathaniel
(women’s 400m Hurdles) and Henry Okorie (men’s 400m Hurdles).
National Record (NR) holder in the women’s High Jump Doreen Amata is
making a return to the team, as well as NR holder in the women’s
Javelin, Kelechi Nwanaga. Ogho-Oghene Egwero, Yinka Ajayi, Praise
Idamadudu, Rita Ossai, Rosemary Chukwuma, Joy Udo-Gabriel, Idjesa
Uruemu, Isah Salihu, Kemi Francis, Usheoritse Itsekiri, Orukpe
Erayokan and Samson Nathaniel were also named on the team.
Although the list is dominated by home-based athletes, a number of
foreign-based athletes such as Regina George (400m), Chidi Okezie
(400m), Jennifer Madu (100m) Stephen Mozia (Shot put) and Chukwuebuka
Enekwechi (Shot put) also made the cut.
Conspicuously missing on the list of invitees is National 100m men’s
champion Seye Ogunlewe who competed in the heats and semis of the
Commonwealth Games Trials in Abuja. Also, reigning African and
Commonwealth Games Champion in the women’s Long Jump, Ese Brume isn’t
among the invited athletes.
However tongues have started lashing against the list AFN released as
most athletes coaches said inexperience played a huge role in the
selection of the team.