All roads lead to Warri as the final leg of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Golden League comes to a climax on Friday morning, while the money spinning Warri Relay/CAA Super Grand Prix takes center stage later that day.
Whilst contenders for the N2m jackpot are set to consolidate on their status as the best in their events, other athletes would no doubt use the meet to firm up their preparation for the AFN/CRS All-Nigeria Athletics Championships, which will be staged in Calabar next week.
The presence of other home-based athletes who recently returned to the country from the US training camp will also add flavour to the event which culminates in Warri, following competitions in Abuja, Ilorin and Akure.
The challengers for the star prize include Chime Nkechi Leticia who competes for Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the women’s shot put, Martins Ogieriakhi in the 110 hurdles, the Nigeria Police men’s 4x100m relay team and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) men’s 4×400 team.
The likes of Divine Oduduru, Obinna Metu, Ogho-Oghene Egwero, Odele Tega, Onyeaku Chukwuma and a host of others are qualifiers for the final of 100m/200m, while Justina Sule, Deborah Odeyemi, Peace Ukoh, Goodness Thomas and Bukunmi Oloye are expected to slug it out in the women’s category.
The women’s 400m event will feature Josephine Ehigie, Amaka Ogoegbunam, Patience Okon, Margaret Etim and Funke Oladoye amongst others; the men’s event promises to be an exciting event as Omeiza Akerele and Godday James go head-to-head for the third consecutive time, with the former edging out his senior colleague in the last two meetings.
Top Nigerian jumper, Stanley Gbagbeke, who has been missing in action for a while, following an injury last year, is also expected to open his season with an appearance at the Golden League.
