The Board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has again said that it is not undermining the Salah Day celebration in the country following a clash in date with the National Trials to select the nation’s athletes for both the African Senior Championships in Douala, Cameroon and the Paris Olympics.
This clarification becomes necessary following steps by some individuals to paint the AFN as a body that does not have regards for the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) in the country.
The AFN had earlier explained the circumstances that led to the fixing of the National Trials for June 16-18 in Benin City, Edo State, and sincerely apologised to all Muslim faithfuls in the country.
The AFN had earlier fixed June 26-28 for the National Trials, only for the Confederations of African Athletics (CAA) to announce a new date of June 21-26 for the African Senior Championships in Douala.
Since the AFN is using the National Trials to pick Nigerian athletes for the African Championships in Douala, Cameroon, there is the need to conclude the event in Benin City at least; two days before their departure since a majority of the athletes are foreign-based. As soon as the African Senior Championships end in Douala, the athletes will on July 1 embark on training tour overseas ahead of the Paris Olympics.
It is a crowded schedule for the AFN, and we plead with our beloved Muslim brothers and sisters, particularly the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) to bear with us.
We gathered that the AFN has put in place adequate measures for the athletes, both Muslims and Christians, to enjoy the Salah celebration before coming to the Stadium to compete.
Part of the arrangements made by the AFN is to skip the morning programme of the National Trials for all to celebrate the Salah Day. They have also bought some rams to be slaughtered on Salah Day for everyone to feel the impact of the celebration.

Two-time African champion and coach of Nigerian sprinter Consider Ekanem, Seun Ogunkoya, says the sprinter is ready to take part in the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s National Trials for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after he pulled out of the 100m final during the Moc Grand Prix in Lagos recently.
The National Trials will be held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City from June 16 to 18 with athletes at home and abroad expected to compete for slots to the Olympics and the upcoming African Athletics Championship in Cameroon.
Consider was primed to win the 100m final during the MoC Grand Prix at the Yaba Tech Sports Complex on June 1 but he pulled out of the race before midway after he appeared to have copped an injury.
Ogunkoya has however allayed any fears of injury for the 19-year-old as the race to hit the Olympics qualification standard of 10.00s gathers momentum.
“It’s nothing serious. I asked him during the stretching how he felt before the heat and he still managed to win with 10.38s. I told him not to go for the final so we could just treat him properly. So, the moment he felt the pull again in the final, he had to withdraw,” Ogunkoya said.
Consider, a 200m bronze medallist and 4x100m gold medallist at the 2023 African Games in Ghana is currently sixth in the leaderboard of Nigeria’s sprinters for the 100m with his personal best of 10.10s which was a world lead between January and February.
Top of the leaderboard is Favour Ashe who has run sub-10s five times this season with a PB of 9.94s, followed by Godson Brume (9.99s), Kanyinsola Ajayi (10.01s), national champion Usheoritse Itsekiri (10.05s) and Alaba Akintola (10.08s), a lineup Ogunkoya also believes is capable of winning a 4x100m relay medal for the country.
“Everyone is coming home to prove themselves and with what we have with our sprinters all over the world, medals are very sure in both 4x100m and 4x400m relays.”

Atl least 250 children and adults with and without disabilities as well as 30 coaches are expected to participate at the forthcoming Mani Giving Back Foundation basketball programme scheduled for Ilupeju, Lagos from July 24 to 28, organisers of the event have told Tidesports source.
Organised by Germany-based Michael Ani, Nigeria’s two-time Special Olympics World Games Head Coach, the events include basketball games, skill clinics led by experienced coaches and motivational sessions by top athletes and coaches.
“This event promises to be a major milestone in our journey. It goes beyond promoting sports; it aims to inspire young people by demonstrating that dreams can be achieved regardless of challenges.
He added that kids living with disabilities would be a major priority of the clinic, stating that it was part of his efforts in fostering an inclusive Nigerian society.
Ani stated, “In 2008, I embarked on a journey of volunteering, coaching children, and adults with disabilities in Nigeria. Back then, there were virtually no organised sports or events for these individuals. Witnessing the societal stigma and lack of opportunities, I felt a deep calling to bridge this gap. “Partnering with the Special Olympics Nigeria, we established the first basketball team for people with disabilities.
“I scouted and trained over 50 players with diverse abilities, preparing them for the World Games. Despite relocating to Germany to pursue my professional basketball career, my commitment to our mission hasn’t wavered. Since 2010, I’ve returned annually to conduct basketball and coaching training sessions in Nigeria.