By Teddy Nwanunobi
Following withdrawals that have affected the athletics squad, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has invited Nigeria’s junior sprint sensation, Rosemary Nwankwo, to the country’s Commonwealth Games training camp in Abuja.
Nwankwo’s invitation was announced on Wednesday by her school, Nigerian Tulip International College, and her track club, N-Youth Sports Academy.
She was not included in the initial 29-athlete squad released by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), but her call-up appears to have followed the withdrawals of US-based sprinter, Tima Godbless, and Ella Onojuvwevwo.
However, the youngster may not join the camp immediately because she is expected to compete at the CAA African U-18 and U-20 Championships in Dakar, Senegal, from July 4 to 5.
Despite still being in school, Nwankwo has enjoyed an impressive season. She competed in all three legs of the MTN Champs before helping Nigeria secure qualification for the World Championships in the women’s 4x100m relay at the World Relays in Gaborone, Botswana.
She also competed at the African Championships before battling for a place in Nigeria’s Commonwealth Games squad at the National Trials in June.
Following her invitation, she is expected to join fellow sprinters, Blessing Ogundiran, Rosemary Chukwuma, Miracle Ezechukwu, Olayinka Olajide, and Obi Chukwuka, in camp.
The N-Youth Sports Academy athlete has season’s best times of 11.42 seconds in the 100m and 23.19 seconds in the 200m.