Team Nigeria Urged To Deliver At Lefika Relays, Honouring President Tinubu’s Sports Commitment

The president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, has issued a rallying cry to Team Nigeria at the Lefika International Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, urging the athletes to reciprocate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s significant commitment to sports development by securing qualification tickets for the upcoming World Relays Championships, also to be held in Gaborone in May.

Chief Okowa, who arrived in Gaborone on Friday ahead of this weekend relay, immediately visited the athletes at the Emerald Hotel.

During a meeting, according to Clement Nwankpa Jr, SA media, office of the National Sports Commission chairman, Okowa emphasised the importance of their mission. “We desire to have as many teams as possible at the World Relays Championships. That’s why we are here,” Okowa stated. He highlighted the “tremendous” support from the National Sports Commission, mandated by the President, which has “made it easier to participate in these international tournaments.” He added, “We have never had it this good. We owe the President and the Commission the responsibility to deliver. To whom much is given, much is expected.”

In a show of support, a delegation from the Nigerian High Commission in Botswana, including Head of Chancery Temilade Helen Shelowo and First Secretary Mercy Imodor, provided food items and echoed Okowa’s call for the athletes to “fly the Nigerian flag high.”

Team Nigeria is set to compete in four events: the men’s 4x100m, mixed 4x100m, men’s 4x400m, and mixed 4x400m relays. The aim is to secure qualification for the World Relays Championships in these categories. It is worth noting that the women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams have already qualified.