Sports
AFN Releases Names Of Athletes, Officials For AJC
The Athletics Federation
of Nigeria (AFN) released the name sof 32 athletes and eight officials for the African Junior Championship (AJC) scheduled for March 3 to March 7 in Addis-Ababa.
The AFN Technical Director, Commodore Omotseye Nesiama, made the list of the athletes available to newsmen in Lagos.
The list comprises of 20 women, 14 men and eight officials.
The 100m, 200m and 4×100 boys comprise Oduduru Divine, Victor Peka, Igube ThankGod, Ashien Godwin, Olisakwe Chukwu.
Adiakerehwa Blessing, Abolaji Omotayo, Aniekeme Alphonsus, Ntia-Obong Mercy, Ese Brume are for the 1001200/4x100m Girls.
Adeloye Tosin, Idamadudu Praise, Asamu Tobi, Odiong Edidiong Ofonime, Asamu Tobi and Ajayi Yinka are for the 400/4X400m Girls.
The names of male athletes for 400/4x400m are Nathaniel Samson, Fasasi Adekunle Rilwan, Adeyemi Sikiru Adewale, Precious Moses and Abdulgafar Audu.
Those for the male 110m Hurdles are Bashiru Abdullahi and Atuma Ifeanyichukwu, while Amusan Tobiloba and Temidayo Oshinbajo are for the female.
The list for 400m Hurdles Girls are Akpofa Daisy, Glory Nathaniel, while Emoghene Timothy is for the 400m Hurdles Boys.
Ese brume, Mercy Abire are for the Long Jump Girls. For the Triple Jump Girls are Uche Brown and Anigbata Grace and Nwaelehia Peace.
Thaddeus Okpara is for High Jump Boys. Nwanaga Kelechi is for Javelin Girls, while for Shot Put Girls is Aniefuna Judith.
The coaches for the Short, Long Sprints and Hurdles are Esabunor Muavaye, Endurance Ojokolo and Saheed Akinpelu and Solomon Aliyu.
The coaches for the Jumps are Kayode Yaya and Ayodele Solaja, while Ann Chet is for the Throws.
The coaches’ Coordinator is Seigha Porbeni, while Falilat Ogunkoya-Omotayo is the Camp
Commandant.
The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti has kicked off in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten-day event.
Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play, saying that volleyball is known to be a disciplined sport.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.
“Last year, we were here, and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.
The Coordinator, Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, has stated that the All Women 10km Race aims to connect through their communities, while creating empowerment opportunities.
The 10th edition with the theme: “One Run, a thousand Opportunities,” will come up on the November 8th, 2025, with the start point at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
This year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run marks a significant milestone, celebrating the program’s journey, the vibrant city of Lagos, and the incredible women who have been part of it since its inception.
It will focus more on empowering women, acknowledging their dedication, and ensuring the program’s sustainability by providing participants with opportunities they deserve.
Popoola added that the race has achieved remarkable success in making women happy and uncovering talents, serving as a platform for participants to train for bigger road races, which fosters a strong sense of community, allowing women of all ages to connect, network, and celebrate themselves.
The event’s non-discriminatory nature makes it a level playing ground, open to everyone regardless of social status, by promoting general well-being among women.
The Franco-Malian tactician made the bold declaration whilst speaking to Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on 90 Minutes with Mathematical on Eagle7FM on Saturday, expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
“Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I am so happy that I have brought back the smiles on their faces,” Chelle said.
“We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them this: They have to do this (for the playoffs)… I plan to do my best for Nigeria, and Inshallah, we will go to the FIFA World Cup.”
Chelle, who took charge of a struggling Nigerian side in January, has transformed the team’s fortunes after inheriting a squad on the brink of disaster. Nigeria were winless in their first four qualifiers, with three draws and one defeat threatening to derail another World Cup dream.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles rallied to win four and draw two of their last six games, collecting 14 points from a possible 18. The highlight came earlier this month in Uyo, where Nigeria swept past Benin Republic 4-0 in a statement victory that reignited national belief.
However, the revival was not enough to seal automatic qualification. Nigeria finished among the four best runners-up in Africa and must now navigate a continental playoff in November for a spot in next March’s intercontinental tie.
The first challenge is a one-legged showdown with Gabon, with Cameroon or DR Congo potentially waiting beyond.
Chelle’s message to his players was uncompromising, saying, “Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is not a war, but it is like a war… My players need to have a warrior state of mind… They have to be like sharks.”