AFN Fulfilling Some Of Its Promises Says Onikeku

By Ogo Clarkson

The Technical Director of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Samuel Onikeku says the current President of AFN, Chief Tonobok Okowa has fulfilled some of his campaign promises to athletics enthusiasts.

Onikeku made the observation after the successful hosting of the AFN All Comers U18-20 Trials in Kaduna.

The former 100m athlete said the North Western part of Nigeria hosted the first Athletics Federation of Nigeria program in 2023 adding that other regions will witness more junior championships.

He revealed some of the budding talents in athletics were able to achieve their Personal Best (PB) in Kaduna.

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Onikeku said, “We are happy as a Federation bringing this 2023 AFN All Comers Trials to Kaduna and it represents the North West. This is something the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Chief Tonobok Okowa and the board said they were going to do because when the President was campaigning, he promised to bring championships to the Northern part of the country.

“The Ahmadu Bello Stadium track is still one of the fastest tracks in the country and the weather is always competition friendly; we are still going to have more championships this year in other Northern States.”

He said, “AFN is excited that a National Record was set in Kaduna; we are happy that an U20 athletes, Ronke Akanbi set a seniors National Record in the 3,000m; that is something great and the board is optimistic that the future of Athletics is the youth.”

Onikeku expressed optimism that Nigeria will win multiple laurels at the forthcoming African U18/U20 Athletics Championship in Zambia this month.

He said, “Ten Personal Best (PB) were set at the All Comers Trials in Kaduna; this has justified the purpose of the championship which is to select athletes for the African U18/U20 Athletics Championship in Zambia.

“I want to assure Nigerians that the athletes will make Nigeria proud in Zambia like they did in Kenya a few years ago”.