Umerah, Ugwoke stake funds for Women’s Hammer, Men’s Discus events in Lagos
By Uzor Odigbo
Nigeria’s female hammer thrower Kosi Umerah has pledged ₦500,000 in prize money and is offering technical guidance to female throwers ahead of the Athletic Heat meet in Lagos.
Similarly, another Nigeria’s leading discus thrower Ebubechukwu Vincent Ugwoke has also taken steps in sponsoring the men’s discus throw event at the Meet with a prize purse of ₦575,000.
Umerah, Texas State University master’s student-athlete is backing the women’s hammer throw competition at the November 7 meet, scheduled for the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos.
The prize pool will be shared among the top four athletes, with the winner taking home ₦200,000.
The runner-up will receive ₦150,000, while third and fourth place will earn ₦100,000 and ₦50,000, respectively.
The Nigerian thrower, whose personal best of 65.71 metres places her fourth on the country’s all-time women’s hammer throw list, is also offering individual video analysis to every female athlete entered in the event.
Through Instagram direct messages, she intends to provide feedback on throwing mechanics, the intervention for Umerah addresses a persistent challenge in her discipline, the struggle for visibility and investment.
“I’m supporting this meet because I truly believe, in my heart and soul, that women’s hammer throw does not get the love it deserves, especially considering how much time and dedication we put into mastering this craft,” she said.
She is also looking beyond the November competition, revealing plans to help establish a throws camp in Nigeria through direct organisation or sponsorship.
“My long-term goal with this initiative is to host or sponsor a throws camp in Nigeria. I believe that, with your hard work and support, we can make this happen. Throws need more love,” she said.
“I’m calling on all diaspora and foreign-based athletes to invest in the country that is central to our identity. A lot of futures have been shaped by wearing the green and white, but beyond that, we also need to sustain the system that gives us the platform to compete.”
Her initiative offers a practical example of how athletes can contribute through mentorship, technical expertise and financial backing, rather than limiting their involvement to competition appearances.
Umerah’s message to the women preparing for the meet was equally direct. “To the ladies competing, go throw far, have fun, bring your best and, more importantly, go collect some money!”
Ugwoke, a two-time national champion, recently strengthened his international credentials by winning bronze in the men’s discus throw at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championships with a lifetime personal best of 63.89 metres.
The performance also placed him as Africa’s second-best discus thrower in 2026.
His sponsorship will reward the four best performers in the event, with the winner receiving ₦250,000, the second-place finisher earning ₦150,000, and the third and fourth positions attracting ₦100,000 and ₦75,000, respectively.
The decision to extend the prize money to fourth place was particularly welcomed by Athletic Heat Chief Executive Officer, Ese Oguma, who said the gesture reflected Ugwoke’s desire to ensure that more athletes benefit financially from the competition.
“I am thankful to Ebubechukwu for his support. One thing he told me was that he wanted even the fourth-place finisher to go home with an amount equivalent to Nigeria’s minimum wage, which is ₦75,000. I’m immensely grateful for this, as it will boost the athletes competing to put in their very best,” Oguma said.
Ugwoke has encouraged prospective competitors to take advantage of the opportunity, wishing all participants success and urging them to deliver their best performances.
