By Flinster Austin
Published on 2024-02-18 04:02:07
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) African Games National Trials in Asaba had its fair share of surprises and disappointments. Consider Ekanem, the race favorite, failed to live up to expectations and was ejected from the men’s 100m final due to a false start. In his absence, Israel Okon Sunday emerged as the winner, clocking in at 10.20 seconds. Fakorede Adekalu finished closely behind with a time of 10.26 seconds, while Enoch Adegoke came in third at 10.30 seconds. This unexpected turn of events left fans both elated and disheartened.
On the women’s side, Olayinka Olajide stole the show with a confident performance in lane three. She crossed the finish line with a time of 11.19 seconds, setting a new personal best. Bless Ogundiran came in second with a time of 11.50 seconds, followed by Favour Onyebuchi in third place with a time of 11.66 seconds. Olajide’s remarkable achievement garnered attention and signaled her potential as a rising star in the sport.
Gabriel Okon, a former Nigerian international sprinter, expressed his optimism about the future of Nigerian male sprinters. He emphasized the importance of providing them with the right training and motivation to help them reclaim their dominance in African sprints. Despite the current top sprinters such as Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala and South Africa’s Akane Simbine, Okon firmly believes that Nigerian male sprinters have the potential to make a comeback on the continent. He highlighted the talents of athletes like Godson Brume, Udodi Onwuzurike, Alaba Akintola, and Consider Ekanem as promising prospects for the future of Nigerian sprinting.
Okon also welcomed the emergence of Ruth Usoro in the women’s long jump, acknowledging the positive impact of healthy competition between athletes. He noted that the rivalry between Ese Brume and Ruth Usoro could elevate the performance of both athletes and potentially result in more medals for Nigeria on the international stage. This optimistic outlook from Okon shed light on the bright prospects for Nigerian athletes in track and field events.
Overall, the AFN African Games National Trials showcased both the triumphs and setbacks of Nigerian sprinters. While some athletes faced unexpected challenges, others rose to the occasion and delivered impressive performances. With the guidance and support of coaches and officials like Gabriel Okon, Nigerian athletes stand poised to make their mark in the world of track and field. As they continue to hone their skills and push the boundaries of their potential, the future looks promising for the next generation of Nigerian sprinters and long jumpers.
