The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has revealed that 12 of its athletes have qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The pack is led by Ese Brune, the sole Nigerian medallist at the World Athletics Championship in Doha. Brune won the bronze medal in women’s long jump.
The others are: Divine Oduduru, Raymond Ekevwo, Usheoritse Itsekiri, Emmanuel Arowolo and Edose Ibadin. Also qualified are: Enekwechi Chukwuebuka, Ayomidotun Ogundeji, Blessing Okagbare- Ighoteguonor, Patience Okon George, Oluwatobilola Amusan and Favour Ofili.
According to a press release signed by Amanzi Marcus, the AFN media committee chairman, the AFN president, Ibrahim Shehu Gusau remarked that the 31st position of Team Nigeria at the World Athletics Championship in Doha was a source of concern.
He disclosed that the AFN resolved to work harder for better results in future competitions especially now that Nigeria has never won a gold medal since the IAAF World Championships began in Helsinki, Finland in 1983.
The board commended Ese Brume for winning the country’s sole medal, a bronze in the women’s Long Jump in Doha while noting that 12 Athletes have so far qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
He also disclosed that in line with the directive of the sports minister, Sunday Dare, the AFN pledged to work harder towards ensuring more Nigerians qualify for the Olympics while early camping will be organised to ensure podium finish and thereby retain athletics’ position as the sport that has given Nigeria the highest number of medals at the Olympics.
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In Nigeria’s 25 medals won so far at the summer Olympics, athletics contributed 13 comprising two gold five silver and six bronze medals, followed by football with three medals, boxing with six, weightlifting, two and taekwondo one.