The second edition of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Region 2 Senior Athletics Championships, begins at the University of Ghana, Legon, Sports Complex, Accra.
Nigeria, along with 15 other countries from the West African sub-region, are expected to participate in the two-day competition involving over 450 athletes vying for honors in 20 events.
26 athletes will be representing Team Nigeria, who won the maiden edition of the championship two years ago at the same venue.
Nigeria is using the championship to chase World Championship relay tickets in the men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m.
Athletics Federation of Nigeria head coach, Solomon Aliyu, noted the team is ready to compete as the relay quartets chase a good time that will qualify them for the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan next month.
Despite the absence of top Nigerian athletes who could do the job more easily, Solomon Aliyu said there are many reasons to be optimistic.
“We are keeping our fingers crossed. We have the relay teams here who are ready to compete and produce the kind of performance we hope for…Let’s see how things go, especially with the 4x400m teams.”
The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, who spoke to the athletes on Sunday after their training at the University of Ghana warm-up tracks, urged them to prove once again that Nigeria is a force to be reckoned with in track and field.
“This is another opportunity to show the world the strength and resilience of Nigerian athletes. Go out there with confidence, make yourselves proud, make the Federation proud, and above all, make Nigeria proud. We believe in your talent, and we are confident you will deliver.”
Host Ghana has a 30-man contingent made up of 17 male and 13 female for the championship and will compete in 20 events.