For final preparations for the Africa U-18 and U-20 championships in Zambia
Tima Godbless
By Rasheed Adewuyi
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, has called 55 athletes to camp for final preparations for the Africa U-18 and U-20 championships scheduled for April, in Ndola, Zambia.
The Athletes were picked after the AFN U-18 and U-20 trials held at the Ahmadu Bello stadium in Kaduna in March.
Top of the list is 18-years-old Ronke Ashabi who set a new Nigeria 3000m U-20 record at the trials.
Also invited are Nigeria 100m U-20 record holder, Tima Godbless, Sule Rejoice Adijatu, Okpah Elo Blessing, Aladeloye Adetutu Funmilayo, Immaculate Daniel, Rosemary Etim and Grace Sule.
Others are Joseph Joy Ayomide, Kudoro Taiwo, Mustapha Ruqqayah Kemi, Akintoye Blessing Joy, Usenbor Osaretin Joy, Bright Ada Princess and Oshiokpu Grace.
For the U-20 men, Musa Kola Nurain, Ajayi Konyinsola Ismail, Adebisi Musbau, Unorji Kingsley, Toviho Enitan Olabode, Ajayi Kehinde, Ajayi Oluwabamidele, Badejo Emmanuel, Joshua Caleb, Okonye Precious, Charles Godfred Edward, Orekevwie Oghenetega, Iheakolam Joel and Habibu Salisu made the cut.
Faith Okwose will lead the charge for medals in the sprint for the U-18 girls. The 17-year-old won two silver medals in the 100 and 200m events behind Godbless at the National Sports Festival last December in Asaba, Delta state.
Others are Yakpobeyan Justina Tiana, Oyebode Stella Oluwaremilekun, Nwachukwu Chioma, Onyah Favour Onyinye, Saibu Yetunde Olayinka, Prestina Ochonogor, Ewa Peace, Irivi Precious, Djoma Fejiro Praise, Ofuoku Nyerhovwo, Ovedje Oke Gift and Kparika Victoria.
The U-18 boys will have Israel Okon Sunday, Daje Lucky, John Caleb, Samuel Ogazi, Olanrewaju Olawole Erioluwa, Francis James Musa, Pam Paul James, Fiaku Goodluck, Aninze Ifeanyi, Isaac Chukwuwike Miracle, Sadiq Zakariyya, Dickson Christain, Badmus Gafar Atanda and Blessing Emmanuel.
Samuel Onikeku, the Technical Director of the AFN says the camp will open on Tuesday April 11, 2023 at the High Performance Centre in Abuja.
Nigeria finished third (13 gold, six silver and 13 bronze medals) behind South Africa and Kenya in the last edition of the championships held at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
