.FN test-the-tracks ends on high
By Uzor Odigbo
It was an excitement that could be described unmatchable as Ogho-Oghene Egwero and Eroyeikon Orukpe produced astonishing times at AFN test-the-tracks competition in Edo State on Saturday.
Predictably, over 100 invited athletes throng the venue to test the tracks laid inside the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, venue of the postponed Edo 2020 National sports festival initially billed to commence on March 22 in Benin.
Soon after the start of the competition, results of tracks events started coming in, first was the 100m semi-final one, where Ogho Oghene Egwero ran the race (10:23s) that improved his ratings at the home front as homebased athlete as he improved his 10.26s performance in Ekiti a fourthnight ago.
After the race which gave him a standing ovation from spectators and dignitaries among them were sports Minister, Edo state deputy governor and others.
Egwero said in his post race chat “This seconds (time returned) will keep coming down until it gets tired. I’m ready and resolute, glad that the competitions are coming on record time now and with Festival just a week to go, improvement would surely come.
My only regret was the absence of some athletes that would have competed here, with them around, the time I returned today would have been improved on”, said Egwero.
They call him home boy, Orukpe Eroyeikon who ran one of the race his life in the 400m men said. “My legs are not ready yet, wait let the festival start, we shall all die here for the sake of our states.
The quarter miler with dreadlocks (46.42s) regretted that after his adoption, the money attached to it remains unremitted for him to commence proper build up for the season.
“I have been adopted but I never see the money, make they give me the money make I start my build up in a good way. I’m been frustrated but I know money will come my way but I fear lateness. “
Orukpe who still have a personal best of 44.99s said running good times is not new, but what to eat and achieve the time. “To run 44 seconds or low in 400m is not the question, but on how you prepare to achieve it. In this game money is the name, if you can’t raise the funds, there would be no good performance”.
He said the new tartan tracks appears good to the Athletes that intend to improve their times, adding that the power in the legs would determine how the good times will come.
Patience Okon George arrive Benin and made a huge statement after clocking 51.84s in the women’s 400m duel. Although, a lot was expected from her being her first official outing at the homefront this season, however, Okon George took to the tracks and left everyone behind.
According to her, “It wasn’t delibrete to opted out of other two meets in Akure and Edo Ekiti, I was actually training and getting ready physically, sychologically, emotionally and mentally and you can attest to the results today. She said.
On her expectations at the festival, George said, “it would come and go, my gaze is at the Olympics and perhaps, to also do well at the African Athletics Championships in Algeria and maximumly qualify and win medals for Nigeria”
Sports Minister Sunday Dare, during a chat said, “It’s good to know our athletes are working hard to improving on their performance, with what I saw here today, it gives.an assurance that there’s hope.
On our part, we shall keep trying to provide logistics and funds to enable our athletes across board prepare better for competitions ahead,” said the honourable Minister for sports.
Recall that invited athletes attended the AFN meet with high expectations and departed ultimately satisfied. Some of them improved on their performances and will approach the festival tracks and field events with high hopes when a new date is announced.
