The best of Nigerian track and field athletes are heading to Asaba, Delta State this weekend to participate in the national trials billed to run from February 17-20 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.
The event organised by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria in conjunction with the Making of Champions MoC is a selection trial for the team that will represent Nigeria at the African Games billed for March 8-24 in Accra, Ghana.
Top women sprinters like Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma and Tima Godbless are being expected to contest for the sprints titles.
Youngsters such as Faith Okwose and Tiana Eyakpobeyan will be hoping to cause an upset and perhaps, secure their first senior national call-up in the 4x100m relay team in Asaba Trials.
In the men’s 100m, athletics buffs would be hoping to see new kid on the block, Consider Ekanem shine in Asaba.
Ekanem coached by former national 100m record holder Seun Ogunkoya had heads turning after he posted 10.10sec world leading time so far this season.
He clocked his personal best at the Dynamics Athletics Meeting held at the Navy Sports Ground in Ojo, Lagos at the end of January.
With that performance, it would not be out of place to dream of podium finish for the young lad in Accra.
The men’s 400m is another highly anticipated event, having the presence of NCAA standout athlete, Dubem Nwachukwu.
Nwachukwu was exceptional in the NCAA, in 2023 and expected to make a mark this time around, being the second time the US-based lad would be representing Nigeria.
He was at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, where his target was to win his first Nigerian title and helping the 4x400m relay team hit the standard. But that could not happen.
Also in the mix to win his senior title is new sensation, Samuel Ogazi, who is undefeated on home soil in 2023 season. Ogazi blazed to sub-46sesc at AFN Golden League in Abuja, last year, and he is one of the one US-based stars expected to light up the Trials in Asaba.
Ifeanyi Ojeli has found his groove back, just as Raphael Egbuchilem and Samson Nathaniel are also top podium contenders for Nigeria at the Africa Games.
In the field events, all eyes will be on Ese Brume and Ruth Usoro in the Long Jump.
World Championships silver medallist, Brume, has finally had the Nigeria rival she is looking for with Usoro having her breakthrough season. She leapt a season and personal best of 6.87m recently in a US meet.
Brume who was also in that meet jumped a season’s best of 6.84m. No doubt it would be an epic duel for both athletes in Asaba.
In the women’s Discus throw, defending champion, Chioma Onyekwere, NCAA silver medallist, Ashley Anumba, and National Sports Festival champion, Obiageri Amaechi are capable of being crowned the winner in Asaba. Onyekwere is the defending champion in the women’s Discus event.
United States-based Chukwuebuka Enekwechi men’s shot putter, and Nnamdi Chinecherem in the men’s javelin throw (if present), will be unchallenged for the title in their events.
There are also new stars to watch out for at the Asaba National Trials.
United States-based high jumper, Temitope Adeshina, made big headline a few weeks ago, when she shattered the national high jump record held by Doreen Amata since 2016.
Adeshina, who made her second appearance in competitive meets in the USA, cleared the height of 1.96m to erase Amata’s 1.93m indoor and 1.95 outdoor records at the Corky Classic in Texas. The 1.96m is just a fraction below the Olympics qualification standard.
Adeshina is the leading woman in the continent and she would aiming to justify her ratings as favourite for the gold.