Nigeria Athletics Federation President Commends Government Support
Tonobok Okowa, the President of the Nigeria Athletics Federation, has expressed his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his role in facilitating Nigeria’s success at the World Relays in Gaborone, enabling the country to secure multiple qualifications for the 2027 World Athletics Championships.
Nigerian Team’s Historic Performance
The Nigerian athletics team concluded their campaign with four coveted spots for the upcoming Beijing Games, following a record-breaking performance in the mixed 4x100m relay on the event’s opening day. This achievement highlights the team’s continued growth and competitiveness on the international stage.
Government Support Fueled Success
In an interview, Okowa praised the Federal Government and the National Sports Commission for their timely preparations, emphasizing that financial backing was crucial to the team’s impressive performance. He acknowledged the support from leaders, stating, “I would like to thank President Bola Tinubu, NSC Chairman Shehu Ditko, and Secretary-General Bukola Olopade for making our travel arrangements possible.”
Emphasis on Preparation
Okowa particularly commended President Tinubu for securing funding necessary for the trip, which he believes significantly influenced the team’s success. He elaborated on the team’s rigorous preparation, spending approximately two weeks in Botswana ahead of the competition. This investment in time and resources was instrumental in their achievements. “We went to Botswana to secure more qualifications, and all six relay teams successfully qualified,” he noted.
Further Achievements and Challenges
In addition to their strong showing in Gaborone, the team qualified for the World Athletics Ultimate Championships, set to take place in Budapest later this year. The mixed 4x400m team, featuring athletes like Samson Nathaniel and Mary Kudlo, secured their qualification with a season-best time of 3:12.88, finishing second to South Africa. Meanwhile, the women’s 4x100m team also qualified, recording a season-best time of 42.94 seconds despite previous hurdles.
Encouraging Future Trends in Athletics
Despite some teams narrowly missing out on qualification, including the men’s 4x100m and 4x400m teams, Okowa highlighted the promising contributions from home-based athletes, some of whom are still in secondary school. This trend is seen as a hopeful indicator for the future of Nigerian athletics. “The players did a great job, especially the home-based athletes,” he remarked, recognizing their vital role in the overall success.
Collective Effort Recognized
In closing, Okowa dedicated his gratitude to the athletes and coaches, acknowledging their rigorous efforts that led to Nigeria’s accomplishments in Gaborone. “I would like to thank all the players and coaches who worked tirelessly for today’s celebration,” he said, emphasizing the spirit of teamwork and dedication that defined this successful campaign.
