Ado Salisu
As preparations intensify for the 3rd edition of the CAA U18/U20 African Athletics Championships in Abeokuta, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has announced a focused strategy for Team Nigeria: to compete only in events where the country has a clear competitive advantage.
AFN Technical Director Gabriel Okon, speaking on Radio Nigeria’s network sports programme, emphasised that Nigeria will not enter athletes in every event, but will instead concentrate on medal-probable disciplines.
“There are many events, and Nigeria has carefully selected athletes in areas where we have strength. Other countries also do it. Entering all events without clear medal prospects is a wild goose chase,” Okon stated.
He acknowledged the pressure on Nigerian athletes to perform on home soil but advised that success would best be achieved by playing to the nation’s strengths.
Okon also confirmed that Team Nigeria’s athletes are doing well in camp and are expected to move into the Games Village two days before the July 16–20 tournament begins.
He urged Nigerians to show support, noting that vocal encouragement and morale-boosting presence can be pivotal for young athletes, especially during challenging moments in competition.
Meanwhile, preparations for the championship have reached advanced stages, with top delegates of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) already arriving in Nigeria. They were received by AFN President Chief Tonobok Okowa.
Among the visiting dignitaries are CAA President Col. Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, the CAA General Secretary, and members of the media.
Members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and media partners WWS are also in Abeokuta, finalising arrangements for the highly anticipated event, which is expected to attract the continent’s most promising young athletes.