Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State has been selected as the official camp for home-based athletes preparing for major national and international championships this year.
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Sports247 gathered that the arena in Asaba will serve as a launch point to Nigeria’s preparations for this year’s events that include Worlds Relays Championship in Gaborone, Botswana in May, Senior Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Championships in Accra, Ghana and CAA Region II Senior Championships in Dakar, Senegal.
Chairman of the media committee of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Maxwell Kumoye further disclosed that other events for this year are 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland in July, as well as the World Junior Athletics Championships in Oregon, United States in August.
Kumoye aldo disclosed that AFN president, Chief Tonobok Okowa led a delegation of inspection of facilities at the stadium. alongside the technical director, Gabriel Okon, secretary-general, Isreal Inwang and athletes’ representative on the board, Henry Okorie.
“The visit was aimed at ensuring that the stadium and supporting infrastructure meet the standards required for high-performance training ahead of the crucial competitions.
“A major boost to the camping programme is the funding by the National Sports Commission and support of the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, for approving the use of the facilities at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.
“Chief Okowa particularly appreciated both the Chairman and Director-General of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko and Chief Bukola Olopade, for their massive support to the federation and this camping programme.
“The camping exercise, according to the AFN President Okowa, will be conducted in phases and closely supervised by the federation’s Technical Committee to ensure effective monitoring, proper conditioning and gradual build-up of athletes across different events and age categories.
“Chief Okowa, assured the invited home-based athletes of the federation’s full commitment to their welfare and overall success, stressing that creating a stable and supportive environment remains a top priority of the current administration.
“On the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) age probe, the AFN president, who also serves as Vice President of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), said that the federation has already submitted a comprehensive response to the AIU on alleged age discrepancies involving some under-18 and under-20 athletes,” Kumoye stated.
Okowa added, “It will take some time for the AIU to respond to our report, but I am confident of a positive outcome. The exercise we have embarked upon is a continuous process to discourage any age cheat. As a federation, we frown at age cheats and we have taken more measures to nip it in the bud.”
Sports247 further learnt that the AFN supremo also issued a stern warning to coaches who may be involved in or encouraging sharp practices, urging them to desist or be ready to face serious sanctions from the federation.
He concluded by commending the Delta State Government and the Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Onoriode Joshua Oborevwori, for their hospitality and support, describing Asaba as a welcoming and conducive environment for Nigerian athletes as they prepare to fly the nation’s flag on the continental and global stage.
