By Uzor Odigbo
It is heart warming to witness the huge spectators turn-out to watch athletics competition occasioned by 4-day Olympic Athletics Trials taking place at Yaba College Technology Sports complex in Lagos Just like in the Mobile Championship days,
Its however a positive surprise to most athletics watchers that this crowd could be interested in watching Athletics where football is trending in Europe, Africa and Nigeria.
Day two of the competition was fantastic as crowd took over all the stands having watched Blessing Okagbare who nearly smashed the African record with her wind aided 10:63secs on Thursday evening.
The new board members of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) were really not sure what the spectators were watching until the jumps started.The way the crowd roared after each successful jump by jumpers.at Yaba College of technology was a delight.”For sometime now we have not had such appreciative crowd. It’s good for athletics and it suited and would enhance Athletes confidence, said a board member Victor Okorie.
He attributed the presence of the crowd to the appearance of Athletes like Blessed Okagbare, Tobi Amusan, Chukwuebuka, Grace Nkwocha etc.The AFN 2nd Vice president Rosa Collins said, the fact that the meet is taking place in a learning environment where students are desirous to catch fun, having in such.crowd in attendance was not too surprising.“Lagos is hot bed for all sports and athletics has a large followership in the State and huge media presence in Lagos also appeals to the fans.”
Collins however thanked the crowd for appreciating athletes effort by coming around to cheer them.
“The crowd has way they appreciate Athletes, most fans chose their events and follow it religiously….It’s a fact such crowd came to watch Athletes at Yaba tech, people should know that its been long such high profile competition was hosted in Lagos where media presence is huge,” Sam Onikeku, the new member on the of AFN board.
The huge turnout of spectators at the venues could also be attributed to near-seamless organization of the meet.
Fans were free to meet some of the popular athletes and watch them train.Most US based Athletes visiting Nigeria for the time were amazed at spectators good behavior.
“Spectators are friendly and very supportive. I got encouraged by their cheers. Though, there’s Covid-19 in town but you see the crowd coming out to.cheer us. It’s dear and I doff my cap for them” said a female hammer thrower based in US.
Part of the spectators include Sports minister Sunday Dare, AFN President and board members, former Athletes Pat Itayi, Fatima Yusuf- Olukoju, Chioma Ajunwa-Opara, Falilat Ogunkoya, Yusuf Ali, Joy Basset, Chinedu Onikeku Gloria Alozie, Brown Ebewele, Grace Umelo and other top stars too numerous to mention.The Olympic Trials which ends on Sunday has expectedly achieved its purpose as most Athletes picked Olympics qualification tickets and still desiring for more slots in the Relays