The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is expecting a huge turn-out of Nigerian athletes at its maiden competition of 2014, the Over-Distance Races and Distance Relays, today at the Ijebu-Ode Stadium in Ogun State.
As at noon on Friday, over 500 Nigeria-based athletes have registered to participate in the one-day AFN event which starts 9.00 am and ends by 5.00 pm.
Athletics Nigeria‘s Technical Delegate Yusuf Ali revealed that more entries are still being expected before the Friday evening deadline for registration and attributed the high number of entries to the success achieved by the Nigerian athletes last year at the Youth, Junior and Senior levels.
“Honestly, I am highly excited and impressed by the number of entries,” said Ali. “For us to record this high number of entries for over-distance is clear indication that there will be higher number of entries when we start running the Golden League where athletes will run their normal events.’’
Ali also said the success by the likes of Blessing Okagbare and the warm reception they got from the good people of Nigeria and government has created more awareness about track and field and that parents are now encouraging their kids to partake in the sports.
The athletes will be watched by the AFN President Solomon Ogba, whose company Solid Works is the official sponsor of the event, and the recently appointed national Performance Director, Angie Taylor.