Expectations high as national trials kick off in Benin-City

Benin-City, the Edo State capital, is wearing carnival-like looks as the much anticipated AFN National Trials get underway at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Sunday (today) and climax on Tuesday, 18, 2024, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The best among the prominent and emerging Nigerian track and field stars have converged on the ancient city for the event meant to select athletes to represent Nigeria at the African Senior Championships in Douala, Cameroon, and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Notable athletes expected to vie for honours include women’s 100-metre hurdles world record holder Oluwatobiloba Amusan, Favour Ofili, Chidi Okezie, Udodi Onwuzurike, Alaba Akintola, Itsekiri Usheoritse, Ruth Usoro, Ese Brume, Seye Ogunlewe, and Edose Ibadin.

The NCAA collegiate athletes are not left out of the party, as names like Omolara Ogunmakinju, Godson Oghenebrume, Favour Ashe, Kanyinsola Ajayi, Ella Onojuvwevwo, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Samuel Ogazi, Tima Seikeseye Godbless, Victory Godah, Rosemary Nwachukwu, Temitope Adeshina, Imaobong Nse Uko, and Opeyemi Oke are listed and confirmed to participate.

Home-based athletes and The Bahamas heroes like Justina Eyakpobeyan, Olayinka Olajide, Consider Ekanem, Sunday Okon, Elo Esther Joseph, and veteran Patience Okon-George are also rearing to go.

Although a handful of them have already secured Olympic tickets, the AFN made it mandatory for all athletes to participate, with its president, Tonobok Okowa, harping that it will serve as the only qualifying standard for all athletes looking to represent the country in Paris.

He said, “The athletes would be picked in accordance with their performance at the trials because it would largely determine who goes to Paris for the Olympics. The athletes have shown commitment, determination, and desire to succeed in their careers by picking Olympic qualifications. They deserve our collective appreciation.”

The athletes are in for good times in Benin City during the three-day event, given the assurance of the executive chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Yusuf Alli, who said, “We are the hosts of the national trials, and athletes and spectators are welcome.”

He recalled the Nigerian Trials being a carnival of some sort in the past where all athletes and spectators were entertained and treated with dignity matched with fanfare, adding that Edo State would try to invoke those memories.