Athletics Federation of Nigeria president, Tonobok Okowa disclosed that the 2024 National Championships will hold between June 16-18 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City.
The Championships, is a selection trial for the 2024 Olympics slated for July and August in Paris, France and the African Championships billed for Douala, Cameroon June 21-26 . All Nigerian athletes home and overseas are expected to test their readiness for the Games.
“The NCAA in the United States will end on June 8, and we want our athletes to be in their best at both the National Trials and African Championships,” Okowa said
“The African Championships in Douala will hold from June 21 to 26, and thereafter, our focus will be on preparations for the Olympics.
” I am praying and hoping that Team Nigeria will top the medals table in Douala and also win gold medals at the Olympics. God will help us.”
Edo State Sports Commission executive chairman, Yusuf Alli said everything is in place to have a successful National Championships and Olympics trials.
“Governor Godwin Obaseki is passionate about sports, including athletics.
“His tenure will end this year and he has agreed to host this year’s AFN National Trials, which will serve as selection for the African Senior Athletics Championship in Cameroon June 21-25 and the Paris Olympics Games.
“We have the facilities, and the people of Edo State are always ready to show the rich culture the state is known for. It will be a great show this time,” Alli stated.
Meanwhile, preparations for the 8th National Youth Games 2024, began Thursday May 16, with officials of the Ministry of Sports in Abuja and the management Committee of Delta Sports Commission holding discussions in Asaba, Delta State.
The meeting deliberated on a wide range of issues, just as it approved September 10 -20, 2024 as the date for the 8th edition of the NYG, taking into cognizance the academic calendar of schools in Delta State and forthcoming Olympics and Para-Olympics Games.
It also approved the inclusion of Trado-sports (Abula) into the list of participating Sports for this year’s edition of NYG.