World School Trials: Madogiemu commends Athletes performance in Abeokuta

Mabel Madogiemu “l was thrilled with their performance and hope they keep it up in subsequent Competitions, myself and colleague Friday Enoge assisted in sponsoring the Athletes to Ogun State.”

By Uzor Odigbo

Twelve athletes from Princess Mabel Madogiemu sponsored U-15 AthIetics/ Competitions took part in the World School Athletics trials organised by the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The young athletes picked a bronze medal and were applauded for their great feat despite the little time available for training.

Commending the young Athletes, Princess Madogiemu congratulated them for stepping up to horn their talents among their relatively older counterparts.

“I was thrilled with their performance and hope they keep it up in their subsequent Competitions, myself and a colleague Friday Enoge assisted in sponsoring the Athletes to Ogun State.”

Over 1300 participant from primary and secondary schools across 24 states, including Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa and hosts, Ogun, participated in the trials to select Nigeria’s contingent for the 2023 World School Athletics Championships slated for later in the year.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), also hailed NSSF for the smooth organisation of the trials, which they said would help unearth fresh talents for the country.

While some of the athletes will represent the country in Turkey in June/July, others will compete with their counterparts across the globe in Brazil at the International School Sport Federation Gymnasiade for U-15 boys and girls in August.

At the finals of the event held at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, dignitaries, administrators and officials lauded the performance of the athletes and expressed optimism that the country will do well at the international championships.

The World Athletics Trials featured track and field events, with competitors in U-12, U-15 and U-18 showcasing the their talent. President of the Nigeria School Sport Federation, Olabisi Joseph, stated that students selected from event will begin camping ahead of the country’s participation at the global events.

Joseph, who is also the Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, urged government, corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals to support the body in sponsoring the athletes to Turkey, stating that the NSSF will commence preparations soon in order to ensure that the athletes excel at the ISF organised competitions.

Events competed for at the NSSF World School Athletics Trials include 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, Long Jump, High Jump, Discuss and Shot Put for boys and girls