Nigerian athletes on parade as Olympics trials begin in Benin City today

Udodi Onwuzurike

After months of preparation, the 2024 Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) Olympics Trials will begin this evening in Benin City, Edo State. The atmosphere in the ancient city is something to behold, particularly, around the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, venue of the National Trials.

From this evening, till Tuesday, June 18, the best of the nation’s track and field stars, both foreign-based and local stars will be on parade. It is a double-header event, as the AFN is using this National Trials to select the nation’s athletes for the 2024 African Senior Championships holding in Douala, Cameroun from June 21 to 26, as well as the Paris Olympics.

Ella Onojuvwevwo is the woman on the block with a 50.57 secs the fastest Nigerian 400m time in recent years. She will be tested by Elo Esther Joseph who posted 50.61secs to win the African Games gold back in March. Omolara Omotosho Ogumakinju with a 51.90 seasons best also made a great impact at the Africa Games.

On the field, all eyes will be on high jump sensation to display her new found form in front of the home crowd. She has only the cross bar to contend with as she aims to clear 2.00m after she achieved 1.97m recently to erase her national record.

All the nation’s top stars are already in town waiting for the programme to begin this evening. The AFN has decided to skip this morning events to allow Muslim faithful enjoy the Salah Day celebration.

The fans will have their hands full this evening. From Record holder in the women’s 100m hurdles, Tobiloba Amusan, African long jump queen, Ese Brume, red hot sprinters Favour Ashe, Godson Brume, Udodi Onwuzurike, Favour Ofili, and high jump record breaker, Temitope Adeshina, it will be one entreating track and field event to another.

It is heart-warming to see Nigerian men sprinters bouncing back again after they have been overshadowed by Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya and Akani Simbine of South Africa in recent years.

The men’s 100m final will be decided this evening and all eyes will be on U.S.-based Favour Ashe, who has consistently gone under 10.00secs. He has a season and personal best of 9.94 secs, and barring unforeseen circumstances, Ashe is tipped to erase Olusoji Fasuba’s national record of 9.88secs since 2006.

Another U.S.-based star, Godson Brume, will also catch the attention of spectators this evening. He too has established himself as sub 10 runner with personal best of 9.90 and a season best of 9.99secs. Brume has the potentials to do more if put on the right plane of focus.

Udodi Uwazurike makes up the top three of sprinters on parade in Benin City. Slowed down by injury, he is beginning to rediscover himself and grabbing all the attention. Udodi has a person best of 9.92 secs and a season best of 10.24 secs. He remains the athlete to beat in the 200m with a personal best of 19.76 secs and a season best of 20.13secs.

Kayinsola Ajayi with 10.01secs season and personal best is also a strong contender in the field that is expected to produce an African or maybe a world leading time ahead the African Championships and Olympics.

In the women’s sprint even, easy-going Favour Ofili is favourite for the title. At the moment, Ofili has a personal best of 10.78 and a 21.96 national record under her belt. It would be quite an upset if she is upstaged by the likes of Rosemary Chukwuma 10.82 PB and 10.88 season best. Tima Godbless with 11.03 this season, is another sprinter to watch out for in Benin City.

The men and women 400m is another interesting prospect. For the first time in so many years, Nigeria can boast of four 44.00 runners in the men’s quarter mile. Samuel Ogazi leads the pack with 44.52secs. There’s Dubem Nwachukwu with 44.81secs, Bamidele Emmanuel 44.88secs, and Chidi Okezie who last hit the Olympics standard with 44.97secs.

Athletes, coaches and administrators, who are already in Benin City for the National Trials are full of praises for Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State for his love in ensuring that Nigeria attains the best in athletics and sports in general.

AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, told The Guardian, yesterday, that the AFN would remain grateful to Obaseki for hosting the National Trials three times, just as he praised the Chairman of Edo Sports Commission, Olympian Yusuf Alli for a job well done.