AFN Names 26 Atheletes For CAA Championships

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has released the names of 26 athletes to represent the country at the Confederation of African Athletics Region II Senior Athletics Championships, holding on Monday and Tuesday in Accra, Ghana.

The contingent will compete in 20 events across track and field disciplines at the University of Ghana Sports Complex in Legon under the technical guidance of Technical Director Gabriel Okon and National Head Coach Solomon Aliyu.

Veteran 400m specialist Patience Okon-George will lead the team, which departs Lagos on Saturday ahead of the championships.

Nigeria will field strong relay squads with Olaolu Olatunde, James Taiwo Emmanuel, Abdulgafar Audu and Chidera Nzeakor representing the men’s 100m/200m and 4x100m events.

The women’s sprint contingent comprises Chioma Nweke, Olayinka Olajide, Iyanuoluwa Bada and Maria Thompson.

US-based Nnamdi Onwaeze and Musa Wisdom Great will compete in the men’s 110m hurdles, whilst Gafari Badmus, Ezekiel Asuquo, Victor Sampson and David Alkalu join Okon-George, Favour Onyah, Opeyemi Oke and Anita Enaruna in the 400m and relay events.

Paris Olympics finalist Prestina Ochonogor headlines the field events contingent in the women’s long jump, with Charles Godfred competing in the men’s equivalent.

Other field athletes include Blessing Oluwayemi (triple jump), Adams Kure (javelin), Dickson Ugochukwu (shot put), Treasure Omosiuwe (high jump) and Victoria Kparika (women’s javelin).

Comfort Anietie James is Nigeria’s sole representative in the women’s 800m.

Nigeria topped last year’s medals table with 13 gold, four silver and one bronze medals with a 22-athlete contingent, demonstrating their dominance in regional athletics.