Foreign-based Athletes Expected in Benin City Today

*Battles for tickets to World Championsip in Budapest 

Several national record holders are among the athletes that would be taking part in this year’s national trials to pick Nigeria’s flag bearers to the Athletics World Championship in Budapest, Hungary. 

  The first set of athletes are expected to arrive in Benin City, Edo State today.

  Chairman of the Organising committee set up by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Yusuf Alli, stated yesterday that the state is ready to stage the best championship ever.

  Last year, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was the venue for the National Trials, where athletes for both the World Championships in Oregon, United States and the Commonwealth Games  in Birmingham, England, were picked.

  Alli stated that the government and people of Edo State were excited to host the National Trials a second time back-to-back.

  “I am sure the athletes will be excited to be here a second time because last year, they got the best treatment and hospitality from the people. Again, the luck of visiting our land followed Team Nigeria success at Oregon where Tobi Amusan broke World Record and won gold medal for our country. 

Ese Brume also got a silver medal. It was the best performance ever by Nigeria in the history of the World Championship.”

  Speaking further, Alli, whose Long Jump national record set far back in 1989 in Lagos still stand till date said; “We are ready this year’s national trials, and I can tell you that the athletes will enjoy what we have on ground for them. Edo is the best sporting state in Nigeria. Our government has invested so much in sports, and the results is what is showing today.”

  AFN Secretary General, Rita Mosindi, stated yesterday that the first batch of foreign-based athletes would arrive in Benin City today.

  Though, the AFN scribe did not give details of those expected to fly into Benin, among athletes expected in the ancient city for the World Athletics Championship trials include; reigning sprint hurdler world champion, Tobiloba Amusan; Silver Medalist at the last edition, Ese Brume, sprinter Favour Ofili, 400m Hurdler, Nathaniel Ezekiel and Javelin thrower, Nnamdi Prosper.

 Also expected in Benin City are Shot Put thrower, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Triple jumper, Ruth Usoro, Chioma Onyekwere, Godson Brume, Udodi Onwuzurike, home-boy, Samuel Ogazi and veteran quarter miler, Patience Okon-George, among others.

  The 2023 World Championships will hold in Budapest in August.