An Assistant Coach of
the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Uruemu Adu,  has  said that more than 500 athletes were in Calabar for the All Nigeria Athletics Championships which started last Thursday.
Adu told newsmen that 16 of the athletes were foreign-based.
He said that foreign-based athletes had acclimatised with the environment, adding that some of them had posted good results to remain relevant.
“The competition has been stiff as it determines our representation at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Marrakech 2014 Africa Athletics Championships,” he said.
According to him, Patience Okoro emerged first in Javelin (women) with 44.63sec, Enemuo Chioma, second, with 43.18sec and Kelechi Nwanga, third, with 42.10sec.
The coach said that Pricillia Zever came fourth with 42.13sec.
He said that Bukunmi Oloye came first in 100m (women) with return time of 11.89sec, followed by Abolaji Omotayo with 11.94sec, while Aniekem Alphonsus placed third with 12.04sec and Nkeiruka Onuejizu, fourth, with 12.26sec.
“In the 10,000 Walk Race (women), Faustina Oguh returned 52.03.02sec to top the table, while Queensely Asedo with 52.30.92sec, came second.
“Queen Henshaw posted 53.56.74sec for the third position, as Fadekemi Olude occupied the fourth position with 55.31.78sec,’’ he said.
Other events of the three-day competition would continue on Friday.