Nigeria’s CAA U-18/U-20 Champs trials end Tuesday, as athletes seek qualification in Shagamu
By Uzor Odigbo
The selection of Team Nigeria to the forthcoming CAA U-18/U-20 Championships ends today in Shagamu, Ogun State.
The Trials which started on Monday with the Girls’ U-18 100m race as Destiny Egbon outwitted Oluebube Ezechukwu and won the girls’ 100m title in 12.00secs, Rosemary Nwankwo finished second in 12.11secs, while Perezide Sigah clocked 12.25secs to finish 3rd.
In the U-20 girls’ 100m race Cynthia Chioma Nweke reigned supreme, finishing ahead of the field in 11.77secs with Success Oyibu securing the 2nd spot in 12.00secs and Lucy Nwankwo placed 3rd in 12.13secs.
John Caleb, finished as overwhelming favourite for the 100m Junior title, coasting home in 10.75secs (-3.6).
Mayowa Saliu finished second clocking 10.96s, while Oluwatobi Malik completed the top three in 10.98s.
Bearing any unforeseen circumstances, Jecinta Lawrence will be leading Team Nigeria’s 400m girls contingent in the U-18 category.
Lawrence, had an impressive performance in the final with a new personal best of 55.42secs.
The U-20 medal in girls 400m race went to Toheebat Adebisi Jimoh with inspiring outing as he ran a new Personal Best of 54.04secs.
In the Boys’ U-20, 110m hurdles, Christian Dickson did everything right including his timely dipping to beat Oseiwe Salami.
Dickson had a new Personal Best of 14.46secs to win the race.
Emerald Makua a social science SS2 student of Government Model College in Asaba, won the girls’ Shot Put, throwing a distance of 13.60m to make podium appearance.
However, Coach Lekan Soetan who a was recently elected board member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), was happy on performances of the athletes, stating that the athletes have potentials to influence the continent in Athletics.
“Our greatest challenge will be Egypt, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and Botswana in the throws, sprints and quarter-mile while the Kenyans, Ugandans and Ethiopians have the long distance race advantage.”
He explained that Team Nigeria is not about numbers but race winners and future stars.
”We are comfortable with about 90 athletes projection and we will work for an excellent outing in Abeokuta,” the coach added.
Meanwhile, the CAA U-20 and U-18 Africa Junior Championship begins in Abeokuta on July 16th and terminates on 20th.
Team Nigeria will be entering about 90 athletes in various events. Particularly in the sprints, throws, quarter-mile.
