By Ben Efe 20-6-2025
Athletics Federation of Nigeria has invited about 90 junior athletes to camp ahead of the 2025 CAA U20/U18 Championships billed for Abeokuta, Ogun State July 16-20.
The three-week camping exercise will see coaches put the athletes through fitness regimes that will bring them near peak performance during the competition… the AFN is aiming to top the medals table.
Speaking on the development AFN technical director, Gabriel Okon said Friday the coaches will concentrate on areas Nigerian athletes are likely to do well and win. He noted that the primary goal of the federation is to give the young athletes the exposure they need.
“We are going to have about three weeks of comprehensive training and then evaluate the athletes before making a final selection for the championships,” said Okon.
“Some of athletes participated at the just concluded National Sports Festival and so we expect that they would still be in top shape. We will be focusing on areas we know we can do well.
“Withing that period we would train our relay teams to perfect their exchanges. At the end of the camping, we will be ready with a good team.”
He added that AFN’s new board is looking to start on a good note the CAA U-20 and U-18 being the first competition it would oversee.
“We are the host federation and so our target is to top the medals table. But it is not a do or die for us.
“These are junior athletes we want them to get the exposure to prepare themselves for greater things in track and field, we want them to enjoy the sport while also pursuing their education.”