Former Nigerian international sprinter, Gabriel Okon said with the right atmosphere of training and motivation Nigerian male runners can dominate the African sprints, from where they have been banished for quite some time.
Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala remains African top sprinter with his 9.77seconds person he remains a man to beat at the African Games, with South African’s Akane Simbine providing a credible competition.
But according to Okon, Nigeria is still a force to recokon with, after the reign of Olusoji Fasuba came to an end on the continent.
“Nigerian men sprinters are coming up, there’s Godson Brume, Uwazirike Udodim, Alaba Akintola, and then lately Consider Ekanem.
“These are boys with have huge potentials. Last season they were tired out by their participation in NCAA and couldn’t really pull their weight.
” But If we can put our acts together and give them the right motivation they can restore Nigeria’s dominance of the African 100. The African Games will be a starring point.
“For Kenyan it’s just Ferdinand and South African Simbine, But we have four sprinters who are capable of running a sub ten so it’s just a matter of time.
Okon also welcome the emergence of Ruth Usoro in the women long jump saying it is a development that will benefit the and country.
“Ese Brume and Ruth Usoro is a good prospect for Nigeria, it is a rivaly that will push the athletes to doing a great jumps and it’s is also a potential gold and silver for Nigeria.
“Generally it would be a good out for Nigerian athletes at the African Games.
“It is just a start and as the season continues we can expect more good performances ahead of the Olympics.”
