Going to Bahamas for the World Athletics Relays where the Olympics 2024 tickets could be won, at first looked like a mission impossible for the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
Three days to go, there was no sign the athletes could get their visas or even have for funding of the trip. But somehow some of the team athletes travelling from Abuja got their visas, they were joined by those based in the USA and so Bahamas was in play.
And it turned out to be a rewarding trip for the AFN and athletes. Paris 2024 Olympics would be the first time in recent years Nigeria would be parading four teams in the Games and for AFN president Tonobok Okowa who celebrated his birthday last Sunday, it was joy unlimited against the background of stress he and his board members have to endure.
On day of the World Relays the Nigeria mixed relay team of Samuel Ogazi, Ella Onojuvwevwo, Chidi Okezie and Esther Elo Joseph wrapped up qualification for the Olympics with a time of 3.13.79 seconds and in the final the next day, they proved their could be on the podium in Paris coming fourth with an African record of 3.12.87 secs.
The women’s 4x400m could not form a team following a last minute injury to African Games hero Omolara Omotosho and Patience Okon George not getting a visa.
The men’s 4X400 also secured their ticket on day one with 3.01.70 seconds, season’s best. No Nigerian team has been to the Olympics since 2004.
On day two the men and women 4x100m who missed out on the automatic tickets on day one, redoubled their efforts and they were rewarded in no small measure.
Supercharged Favour Ofili ran one of the fastest times in her career during her split in the race started by Justina Tiana Eyakpobeyan. She handed over to Ofili, before Olayinka Olajide and Tima Godbless made it certain they qualified with season’s best of 42.71 seconds.
TThe men’s race was a repeat of the African Games showdown between Ghana and Nigeria. Though the Ghanaians got their revenge, that did not stop Udodi Onwuzurike, Consider Ekanem Alaba Akintola and Karlington Anunagba from picking up the second spot for the Olympic qualifier in heat two. They ran 38.57 seconds, while Ghana inspired by Benjamin Azamati ran a season’s best of 38.29secons. It is the first time a Nigerian 4x100m team is qualifying for the Olympics since Beijing 2008.
“I am so glad our athletes got the four tickets in Bahamas,” Okowa told AFN Media
“I salute the athletes, the coaches, my board members, sport’s ministry officials and all those who made this victory in Bahamas possible,” Okowa stated.
“In anything we do today, we have to put God first.
“Despite the fact that things are hard, some of my board members and I have resolved to forge ahead. There are some who are interested in finding faults in whatever we do, but God has been faithful to us. We will continue to do our best for Nigeria athletics.
“NIgerians saw what we did at the last African Games in Ghana. Our next step will be Cameroon for the African Senior Championships. We will give our athletes the best of preparation for the Paris Olympics. We will also ensure that the women’s 4x400m team gets the ticket to Paris to make it 5/5. But the AFN needs funds to achieve its dream of making a podium finish at the Paris Olympics.”
