President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, has revealed that the federation is sourcing for funds to take officials to the World Relays holding in Bahamas on May 4 and 5, 2024.
Two of Nigeria’s top coaches—Gabriel Okon and Endurance Ojokolo, will lead the nation’s contingent to the event, due to paucity of funds. The team will strive to be among the best 14 finishers to secure a lane at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Okowa revealed that the duo of Okon and Ojokolo will lead the contingent to the Caribbean Island if the AFN is unable to secure sufficient funds to also sponsor other technical officials.
“As things stand, only coach Gabriel Okon and Endurance Ojokolo might lead the team to the Bahamas unless we are able to get enough funds for the trip. As we speak, we have not been able to get the money we need to take many people to the World Relays, and in that case, we have to cut down on the number of officials because we need the athletes to get the job done,” Okowa said.
The athletes and officials have begun preparation towards the World Relays, as they have undergone capturing at the U.S. embassy in Abuja, which is is part of the process for acquiring their visas.
Also speaking on AFN’s preparation for the sporting event, the federation’s Secretary General, Rita Mosindi, explained that the athletes are in camp and expressed optimism that they will do well at the World Relays.
“Our athletes have been in camp, and I am sure they won’t disappoint us in Bahamas,” she said.
Nigeria’s fastest man so far this year, Favour Ashe will not be in Nassau, Bahamas, to help the country secure a 4x100m berth in Paris. Ashe has been in great form this outdoor season and has broken 10 seconds twice (9.96 and 9.99).
His name was not among the 29 names World Athletics released on Tuesday, in the final entry list by Nigeria for the World Athletics Relays.
Godson Brume and Udodi Onwuzurike head the list of eight sprinters listed to compete for Nigeria in the men’s 4x100m event. Others are: Alaba Akintola, Karlingthon Anunagba, Consider Ekanem, Seye Ogunleye and Israel Okon Sunday.
The men’s team will strive to be among the best 14 finishers to secure a lane in Paris for the first time since Beijing 2008 Olympics, where the quartet of Onyeabor Nwogu, Obinna Metu, Chinedu Oriala and Uchenna Emedolu did not finish in the first heat of the event at the Bird’s Nest in China.
For the women, sprint hurdler, Tobi Amusan and Nigeria’s 200m record holder (indoor and out), Favour Ofili, will lead the 4x100m team that will also comprise Rosemary Chukwuma, Justina Eyakpobeyan, Tima Godbless, Elo Blessing and African Games double sprint medalist, Olayinka Olajide.
The women’s team is tasked with qualifying Nigeria for the Games and a place in the final eight years after the quartet of Gloria Asumnu, Blessing Okagbare, Jennifer Madu and Agnes Osazuwa last did at the Rio 2016 Games in Brazil.
