Sports
Nigeria picks 26 for CAA Region II Senior Athletics Championships
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria, (AFN) has picked 26 athletes to represent the country at the forthcoming Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Region II Senior Athletics Championships holding between Monday, August 18th and Tuesday, August 19th in Accra, Ghana.
The contingent will compete in 20 events including 100m (men and women), 200m (men and women), 110mH (men), 400m (men and women), 4 x 100m (men and women), 4 x400m (men and women), 4x400m mixed relay, 800m (women), Long Jump (men and women)Triple Jump (men), High Jump (women), Javelin (men and women), and Shot Put (men).
Veteran Patience Okon-George of 400m women will lead the pack of athletes to the University of Ghana (UG) Sports Complex in Legon, Accra, under the technical guidance of the Technical Director, Gabriel Okon and National Head Coach, Solomon Aliyu.
The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria(AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, congratulated the selected athletes for Team Nigeria to Accra and urged them to be worthy ambassadors.
Okowa, who is also President of CAA Region II, stated that the Federation and the country expect nothing short of great performance that will see Nigeria defend the title won last year.
Team Nigeria with 22 athletes last year showcased the excellent Nigerian spirit to top the medals table with 13 gold, four silver and one bronze at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Region II Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana.
The team will leave Lagos today for Accra ahead of the championships.
THE CONTINGENT
*Men’s 100m, 200m and 4x100m: Olaolu Olatunde, James Taiwo Emmanuel, Abdulgafar Audu and Chidera Nzeakor.
*Women’s 100m, 200m men and 4x100m: Chioma Nweke, Olayinka Olajide, Iyanuoluwa Bada and Maria Thompson.
*Men’s 110metres Hurdles :Nnamdi Onwaeze and Musa Wisdom Great.
*400m and 4x400m relay:Patience Okon-George, Favour Onyah, Opeyemi Oke and Anita Enaruna
*Men’s 400m and 4x400m relay, Gafari Badmus, Ezekiel Asuquo, Victor Sampson and David Alkalu
*Women’s 800m: Comfort Anietie James
*Women’s Long Jump: Prestina Ochonogor
*Men’s Long Jump: Charles Godfred
*Men’s Triple Jump: Blessing Oluwayemi
*Men’s Javelin: Adams Kure
*Men’s Shot Put: Dickson Ugochukwu
*Women’s High Jump: Treasure Omosiuwe
*Women’s Javelin: Victoria Kparika.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.