…As Ogba rates local athletes high
The duo of Israel Okon Sunday and Olayinka Olajide emerged the fastest athletes in the 100m in the men’s and women’s categories respectively at the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) All African Games national Trials in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
Current world leader in the 100m and African Games AFN trials favourite, Consider Ekanem, disappointed his teeming fans after he was disqualified from men’s 100m because of false start, leaving him chrest falleen before the fans who thronged the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba to watch Nigeria’s finest on the track.
Instead youngster, Okon stole the show to become the new kid on the block as the 17-year old won the race in 10.20 seconds as he breezed past Fakorede Adekalu who finished in 10.26 seconds while Enoch Adegoke, finished third with a time of 10.30 seconds.
In the women’s race, Olayinka Olajide, was just too hot to handle as the swift athlete running in lane three, confidently coasted home after breaking away from the pack.
The 21 year old finished at 11.19 seconds, a Personal Best, brushing aside Bless Ogundiran who came second in 11.50 seconds, while Favour Onyebuchi came in third in 11.66 seconds.
Meanwhile a former Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) president, Solomon Ogba has said Nigeria’s pool of athletics talent is inexhaustible despite the recent exodus of the country’s up and coming athletes to the US collegiate system.
It will be recalled that between January 2023 and January 2024, over 60 Nigerian talents have joined NCAA, yet home based athletes have continued to churn out impressive performances witnessed at the national trials.
He said “There is no denying the fact we still have home based athletes who return fantastic times, despite the huge number of athletes that have moved to the US.
“The performances here so far has been outstanding and it’s just the start of the season.”
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