Follow Us on Google
Thousands of athletics lovers in Benin City and it’s environs stormed the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, yesterday, to catch a glimpse of foreign-based athletes in training ahead the National Trials to pick the nation’s flag bearers to the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Over 160 athletes, including some home-based, those from the United States and some European countries will be on parade at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium from July 5 to 7 to battle for tickets to Budapest.
Though the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has set July 4 as the arrival date, some of the foreign-based stars arrived in Benin City yesterday.
“The security personnel at the Samuel Ogbemudia are having a tough time controlling the large turn out of the fans. They want to watch the foreign-based athletes in training,” an AFN official, who is the advanced team to Edo State revealed yesterday.
“I am sure the crowd will be more this year compared to what we had last year because of the superlative performance by Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume at the last edition of the World Championships in Oregon, United States,” the official added.
Last year, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was the venue for the National Trials, where athletes for both the World Championships in Oregon, and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, were picked.
The chairman of the Organising Committee, Yusuf Alli had assured that the government and people of Edo State would give the visiting athletes and officials the best treatment throughout their stay in Benin City.
Alli, who is the Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, and whose Long Jump record set in 1989 in Lagos still stands till date, also assured, yesterday, that there would be side attractions like cultural dance to entertain the fans.
“Apart from being the best Sporting State in Nigeria, Edo State is also the home of culture and entertainment. All these will be on display throughout the National Trials,” Alli stated.
All eyes will be on the reigning World Champions sprint hurdler, Tobiloba Amusan in Benin City. Silver medalist at the last edition, Ese Brume, sprinter Favour Ofili, 400m Hurdles runner, Nathaniel Ezekiel, Javelin thrower, Nnamdi Prosper, Shot Put thrower, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Triple jumper, Ruth Usoro, Chioma Onyekwere, Godson Brume, Udodi Onwuzurike, home boy, Samuel Ogazi and veteran Patience Okon-George, are among the stars on parade.
