A-list athletes storm Benin for Nigeria's National Trials for 2024 Paris Olympics ticket

Posted : 13 June 2024

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Top athletes from across the globe have continued to flock to Benin City for the 2024 National Athletics Trials, scheduled to take place from June 16 to June 18, 2024, in Edo State. They are vying for the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the Douala African Senior Athletics Championships.

The National trials promise to be an epic clash, as top athletes from Nigeria and abroad converge to secure spots in two major competitions. The event will serve as the platform to select Nigeria's best athletes for the upcoming African Senior Athletics Championships in Douala, Cameroon, and the prestigious Olympic Games in Paris, France.

In recent months, Nigerian athletes based in Europe and America have delivered impressive performances on both the track and in field events. At the NCAA Championship finals, Temitope Adeshina broke the national record in the women’s high jump with a leap of 1.97m, a feat that impressed coach Kola Adeboye, who believes she can surpass the 2.00m mark before the Olympics.

The women’s long jump event promises excitement, with Olympic bronze medalist Ese Brume facing a tough challenge from Prestina Ochonogor, the gold medalist at the recent CAA Region 2 Championship in Accra.

The men’s 100m race will be a showdown among three US-based athletes: Favour Ashe, Kanyinsola Ajayi, and Godson Brume, all of whom have run under 10 seconds. They will compete with local stars Consider Ekanem and Isreal Okon, eager to prove themselves on home soil.

The women’s 100m event is stacked with talented and experienced athletes like Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma, and Tima Godbless, challenged by home favorite Justina Tiana Eyakpobeyan, the gold medalist at the CAA Region 2 Championship.

Other exciting events include the men’s 400m, women’s hurdles, and men’s 200m races, where athletes like Samuel Ogazi, Emmanuel Ojeli, and Chidi Okezie will vie for top honors.

Samuel Onikeku, Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), emphasized the trials' importance, stating the federation's zero tolerance policy in athlete selection for Team Nigeria.

Yusuf Alli, Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, assured readiness to welcome athletes and spectators to the event, promising an entertaining and well-organized championship.

World record holder and fastest women’s 100m hurdler, Tobi Amusan, will face Faith Osamuyi, the newly crowned West African champion. In the men’s 400m, Samuel Ogazi, CAA Region 2 gold medalist Emmanuel Ojeli, and Chidi Okezie, a standout at the 13th African Games, will compete.

Despite strong performances by US-based athletes, the trials at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City will present new challenges due to travel and weather conditions.

The AFN remains committed to fair athlete selection, acknowledging those who have already met Olympic qualifying standards and those striving to qualify.

Yusuf Alli reiterated Edo State’s readiness to host the championship and celebrate the dedication and determination of over 25 foreign-based athletes competing in Benin City.

A-list athletes storm Benin for Nigeria's National Trials for 2024 Paris Olympics ticket

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