Abogunloko, Ukale and Onakoya shine at Shagamu All Comers meet

Submitted by Yomi Omogbeja on 21 February 2011 - 7:26pm

A record setting performance from Bukola Abogunloko, Elvis Ukale and Abiola Onakoya were the highlights at the 1st Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) All Comers meet at the Shagamu Township Stadium last weekend.

Abogunloko Bukola, a member of the Gold winning 4x400m relay quartet at the 17th Africa Senior Athletics Championships in Nairobi last year, won the women's 300m in a record time of 36.92 secs and the 600m in 1:32.35.

In the women's 300m final, Abogunloko was followed by Goodness Thomas of the Police second in 38.76secs and Nkiruka Uwakwe of ICDO third with 39.06secs.

In the women's 600m, another member of the Nairobi quartet, Etim Margaret of NSCDC was second in 1:34.10 and Adekoya Kemi of Delta was third in 1:34:70.

Abogunloko attributed her success to the level of seriousness she had put into her training this year.

“Running the female fastest time is an act of God and the effort put in by me, with the help of my coach who really made sure I am in form," she said.

“Though attaching prize money will attract more seriousness from the athletes, the turnout was very encouraging, it shows that Nigeria athletes are ready to beat all odds and give their best to their states and country.”

Onakoya Abiola, also posted a personal best time of 1:18.86 in the 600m Finals and 33.49secs in the 300m heats.

In the men's 600m, Umoh Joseph of the NSCDC was second in 1:21.50 and Ekundayo Shehubo of the Police was third in 1:21:46.

In the Men's 300m, Elvis Ukale of Delta had the fastest time of the day in the heats clocking 33.12 secs and later 32.85secs to win the 300m Final.

Although the AFN said there will be no prize money at the All Comers event and that "all expenses incurred by any athlete are to be taken care of by their states or clubs", there were still over 2000 athletes in Shagamu.

Last week, the AFN Assistant Secretary, Mrs. Rita Akande warned athletes and officials not to expect the federation to shoulder their burdens.

“ There is no meal subsidy for any athlete. No transport allowance or accommodation. Also, no one should come to Shagamu hoping to win any prize money. This is an All-Comers event,” she said.

Selected Results

Long Jump Women Final

  1. Blesing Ibrahim (CD) 6.08m +2.0
  2. Ann Okafor (Laspotech) 5.80m +1.9
  3. Adewale Adebusola (Imo) 5.50m +2.2

300m Women Final

  1. Abogunloko Bukola (Defence) 36.92secs
  2. Goodness Thomas (Police) 38.76secs
  3. Nkiruka Uwakwe (ICDO)  39.06sec
  4. Charity Adegoke (Delta) 39.17secs

300m Men Final B

  1. Elvis Ukale (Delta) 32.85secs
  2. Adedamola Adeniyi (Osheku) 34.14secs
  3. Onyiye Nwafor (Enugu) 34.61secs

600m Women Final

  1. Bukola Abogunloko (Defence) 1:32.35secs
  2. Etim Margaret (NSCDC) 1:34:1secs
  3. Adekoya Kemi (Delta) 1:34:7secs
  4. Bunmi Odejobi (Police) 1:35:1secs

600m Men Final

  1. Onakoya Abiola (Defence) 1:18.86secs
  2. Umoh Joseph (NSCDC) 1:21.50secs
  3. Ekundayo Shehubo (Police) 1:21:46secs

Triple jump Women Final

  1. Ibrahim Blessing (ICDO) 12.85m +0.0
  2. Mary Otoarudoh (Rivers) 12.81m +1.3
  3. Taiwo Oluwakemi Ruth (Eagle Sight)  11.29m +1.3

High Jump Women Final

  1. Amata Doreen (Immigration) 1.85m
  2. Esiekpe Young (CDA) 1.65m
  3. Aruta Hope (CDA) 1.60m

See complete results

© 2011 Yomi Omogbeja/AthleticsAfrica.Com

Nigeria