The technical director of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Gabriel Okon has sent words of gratitude to the National Sports Commission (NSC) for unflinching support of the country’s delegation to the World Relays Championship qualifiers.
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Sports247 reports that, as the Nigerian delegation of 15 athletes and three officials landed in Gaborone, Botswana on Thursday, ahead of the races on Saturday, Okon thanked the NSC for its contribution.
Okon singled out NSC’s director-general, Honourable Bukola Olopade, for particular commendation, as the former athlete and coach declared that the team gained additional motivation from him to excel on Saturday.
This was revealed by the AFN’s media committee chairman, Maxwell Kumoye, who stated in a press release that the Nigerian delegation received massive support in their preparations for the Lefika International Relays in Gaborone.
Kumoye disclosed that Nigeria will compete in men’s 4x100m and 4x400m as well as women’s 4x400m and mixed 4x400m races, with high hope of securing tickets to the 2026 World Relay Championships slated for May at the same venue.
The AFN’s spokesman also revealed that the country’s women’s 4x100m and mixed 4x100m relay teams have already secured qualification for the global event in Gaborone, leaving Nigeria in search of four more slots.
On his part, Okon, expressed confidence in the team’s ability to qualify for the four events, as he believes they prepared well, with support from the NSC and AFN’s executive committee.
“I want to thank the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Director General, Honourable Bukola Olopade, and AFN President Tonobok Okowa for their support.
“We are grateful for the funding and backing, and we hope for continued support,” Okon said, while assuring that all the athletes are determined to win in Gaborone, in order to give Nigeria six spots at the World Relay Championships.
Sports247 gathered further that the athletes Nigeria is banking on for glory in Gaborone include Enaruna Anita Itohan, Badmus Gafari Atanda, Ezeakor Chidera, Emmanuel James Taiwo, Ojeli Ifeanyi Emmanuel and George Patience Okon.
Other potential winners in the squad that left Nigeria on Wednesday are Nathaniel Samson, Adeyemi Sikiru Adewale, Sampson Victor Ime, Godwin Tejiri, Jecinter Lawrence, Chukwuka Obi Jennifer and Omokwe Maria Thompson.
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