The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has invited 55 athletes to a training camp as the final leg of preparations for the Africa U18 and U20 Championships, which will be held later this month in Ndola, Zambia. Most of the athletes were selected after the AFN U18 and U20 trials at Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna late last month.
Leading the list is 18‑year‑old Ronke Ashabi, who set a new Nigerian U20 record in the 3000 m at the trials. Ashabi first broke the record a year earlier at the International School Sports Federation (ISF) competition in Caen, France. Also invited are the reigning Nigerian U20 100 m record holder Tima Godbless, along with Sule Rejoice Adijatu, Okpah Elo Blessing, Aladeloye Adetutu Funmilayo, Immaculate Daniel, Rosemary Etim and Grace Sule. Additional female athletes include Joseph Joy Ayomide, Kudoro Taiwo, Mustapha Ruqqayah Kemi, Akintoye Blessing Joy, Usenbor Osaretin Joy, Bright Ada Princess and Oshiokpu Grace.
For the U20 men, the selected athletes are Musa Kola Nurain, Ajayi Konyinsola Ismail, Adebisi Musbau, Unorji Kingsley, Toviho Enitan Olabode, Ajayi Kehinde, Ajayi Oluwabamidele, Badejo Emmanuel, Joshua Caleb, Okonye Precious, Charles Godfred Edward, Orekevwie Oghenetega, Iheakolam Joel and Habibu Salisu.
Faith Okwose will lead the sprint medal chase for the U18 girls. The 17‑year‑old won two silver medals in the 100 m and 200 m at the National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State, finishing behind Godbless. Other U18 girls invited are Yakpobeyan Justina Tiana, Oyebode Stella Oluwaremilekun, Nwachukwu Chioma, Onyah Favour Onyinye, Saibu Yetunde Olayinka, Prestina Ochonogor, Ewa Peace, Irivi Precious, Djoma Fejiro Praise, Ofuoku Nyerhovwo, Ovedje Oke Gift and Kparika Victoria.
The U18 boys squad includes Israel Okon Sunday, Daje Lucky, John Caleb, Samuel Ogazi, Olanrewaju Olawole Erioluwa, Francis James Musa, Pam Paul James, Fiaku Goodluck, Aninze Ifeanyi, Isaac Chukwuwike Miracle, Sadiq Zakariyya, Dickson Christain, Badmus Gafar Atanda and Blessing Emmanuel.
Technical Director Samuel Onikeku announced that the camp will open on Tuesday, 11 April 2023, at the High Performance Centre in Abuja. Nigeria finished third in the last edition of the championships in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, securing 13 gold, six silver and 13 bronze medals behind South Africa and Kenya.
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