Ado Salisu
As the 3rd Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) U-18 and U-20 Championships approach, Nigerian junior athletes have reaffirmed their commitment to delivering sterling performances that will uplift the country’s image on the continental stage.
The championship, scheduled to take place in Abeokuta, Ogun State, from July 16 to 20, 2025, is expected to host over 945 athletes and officials from across Africa.
With the countdown intensifying, Nigerian athletes currently in camp have expressed unwavering confidence in their readiness and determination to make the nation proud.
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In an interaction with the press, several athletes particularly from the U-20 category spoke candidly about their preparation and mindset ahead of the tournament.
“This will be my first international championship. I’m fully focused and determined not to let myself or the country down. Many of us are here to showcase our potential and elevate Nigeria’s status in athletics,” one athlete stated.
They also credited the coaching team for the intensive training regimen designed to bring out their best ahead of the competition.
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“Our coaches are giving us specially tailored workouts aimed at maximizing our performance. There’s already noticeable improvement across the board,” another athlete added.
While acknowledging the stiff competition expected from other African nations, the athletes believe hosting the event provides Nigeria with a slight psychological edge.
“Being the host country is a plus. But beyond that, we are staying focused and professional to ensure we bring home medals,” one of the sprinters remarked.
Highlighting Nigeria’s traditional areas of strength, the athletes pointed to sprints, relays, quarter-mile races, and throwing events as disciplines where the country is expected to dominate.
“Nigeria has always been strong in the sprints and relays, but our coaches are working to strengthen us across all categories — from throws to middle-distance events,” they emphasized.
The athletes also commmeded the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for putting in place robust medical and nutritional support to ensure a healthy and competitive camp.
“Our meals are nutritionist-approved and designed to keep us in peak condition. The AFN has really done well in ensuring a conducive training environment,” they noted.
When asked what Nigerians should expect, the athletes responded with a clear and collective promise:
“We promise to compete hard, stay fair, and win medals that will make Nigeria proud.”
With days to go, the anticipation is high, and Nigeria’s young athletes appear poised not just to participate, but to dominate and inspire at the 2025 CAA Junior Championships in Abeokuta.