By Uzor Odigbo
Barring any unforeseen delay, the Team Nigeria AthIetics contingent will fly out of the country on August 15th for the World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary.
This hint was dropped by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) technical director Samuel Onikeku on Monday, as he pleaded with Nigerians to lift the team in their prayers.
The Nigerian contingent with 26 Athletes and 8 officials is expected to participate in 11 events in the 9th edition of the championship starting August 19th – 27th.
Expectedly, Team Nigeria rides on high hopes ostensibly believing that the World Athletics Integrity Unit will lift and clear top AthIete and 100mh record holder (12:12) Tobi Amusan for the Championship.
Although, there are a few injury worries among AthIetes which officials said could be managed following encouraging medical reports.
The full recovery of Athletes with mild injuries is also of great concern to the officials who are hoping for the best in Budapest.
Recently, the Athlete’s kits were unveiled by the Federation’s Performance director Victor Okorie which signals the readiness of the contingent for the Championship.
Before now the team had struggled to qualify for the relay events especially the men’s 4×100m and 4×400m women’s relay which was incidentally achieved in Lagos and Asaba, outside the trials venue in Benin.
It’s expected that Nigeria would surpass previous achievements in podium appearance in Budapest.
Some of the officials were skeptical about the number of medals expected from the team, they however hoped that with hard work put in by the Athletes, results would be possible.
“We know we are going to compete with world-class AthIetes whom we know their ratings, we are also aware that Team Nigeria is made up of young AthIetes whose future is still ahead, but we are hopeful. In Oregon last year we didn’t believe Tobi Amusan will win the gold medal not to talk of breaking the world record in the 100m hurdle event, so we are hopeful, Nigerians should be praying for us for a successful outing,” said an official who pleaded for anonymity
