By Our Reporter 30-7-2025
After many days of uncertainty, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria has boldly declared that it’s selection trials for the World Athletics Championships will hold August 1-3 at the Yaba College of Technology sports complex Lagos.
This followed almost two weeks of suspense on whether the trials will hold or not due to concerns about funding and venue.
Athletes expected to appear for the trials include Tobi Amusan world record holder in the women’s 100m hurdles who is aiming to reestablish herself after failing to defend the title she won 2022 in Oregon, USA, at the Budapest 2023 edition. She has been training in Lagos, as she like other athletes and their coaches awaited a final word on the trials.
Ese Brume is another top athlete being expected; she is eager to have another go at the top level to make up for the disappointment of not being on the podium at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. She will be facing up and coming Prestina Ochonogor who recently jumped 6.77m at the CAA U-20 Championships in Abeokuta in July.
The ever improving world title aspiring Shot Put champion Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, is also being expected. He recently broke the national and African record with a mark of 22.10m that put him in the top five of the world throwers.
Though some athletes have already by entry standards have qualified for the World Championships, they are still being expected at the trials to prove their readiness for the event, which is 50 days from now.
These athletes include Tima Godbless, Rosemary Chukwuma, Kelly Ufodiama, Ella Onojuvwevwo,Temitope Adeshina, Ese Brume, Prestina Ochonogor, Chioma Onyekwere,Obiageri Amaechi, Sade Olatoye, Kanyinsola Ajayi, Israel Okon, Samuel Ogazi, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Chidi Okezie, and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi.
After the trials AFN top officials were tight lipped on strategy to ensure Nigerian athletes are well prepared for the Championships billed to run between September 13-21 in Tokyo, Japan.