AFN Dumps Abuja, Moves African U18, U20 Championships Camp To Asaba

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has moved the training camp for the final leg of preparations for the Africa U18 and U20 championships earlier slated for Abuja to Asaba, Delta State’s capital with the arrival date shifted by a day.

The Africa U18 and U20 championships will hold from April 29 to May 3, 2023 in Ndola, Zambia.AFN’s technical director, Samuel Onikeku, says in a statement that the shifting of the venue from the High Performance Centre in Abuja to Asaba is to enable the athletes train with the best of equipment which were used at the 21st National Sports Festival held last December in the state.

“The AFN is desirous of giving the athletes the best of preparations hence the decision to move them to Asaba where they will have the opportunity of training with the latest equipment without distraction,” Onikeku said.

“The invited athletes are now to arrive Asaba from Wednesday April 12, 2023 to begin preparations for the Championship which has helped to produce some of the household names in Nigerian track and field today.”

Over 55 athletes have been invited to camp as the AFN begins the process of unearthing the next big stars who will go on to make history at international Championships and Games.

Some of the invited athletes include Tima Godbless who successfully completed a sprint double at the National Sports Festival in Asaba last December and Faith Okwose, the 17-year-old who rose from a 12 seconds runner early in 2022 to set a new 11.44 personal best enroute to winning the 100m silver at the Festival.

Also listed are 18-year-old Ronke Ashabi who set a new Nigeria 3000m U20 record at the AFN U20 trials in Kaduna, Sule Rejoice Adijatu, Okpah Elo Blessing, Aladeloye Adetutu Funmilayo, Immaculate Daniel, Rosemary Etim and Grace Sule.