URUEMU ADU LEADS TEAM NIGERIA TO ABIDJAN

Nigeria is known for their huge and outstanding performance of their veteran athletes in the Masters Games. The African Athletic Masters Championships began in 1994 in South Africa. The Master’s Games ranges from age 35 and above. Each Master athlete has a particular age category he/she falls and competes under. The competition is slated to hold again on Friday 25th to 27th of August 2017 in Abidjan, cote d’ivoire.

At the 9th edition of the African Athletic Masters in Limbe, Cameroun last year, Team Nigeria came back home with 39 medals. 30 Gold, 6 Silver and 3 Bronze.                                                         

Speaking with the Athletic heat, the Secretary of the Nigerian Athletics Masters, Uruemu Adu said that they hope to perform better and come back victoriously just as they did last year. The Nigeria Athletic Masters listed 30 athletes and 3 officials for the African Athletic Masters Championship.

In the Long Distance events, for the female category, Edward Mercy and Anetor Irene will participate in the 5000m and 1500m. In the male category, Ishaya Azi will participate in the men’s 10,000m, Seriki Oladipupo for 800m and 1500m and Omoghiboria Clifford for 1500m and 5000m.
In the field events, Udjoh Alexander will feature in the Hammer throw, Subaru Yakubu for Javelin, Agbon Emmanuel and Aniemeka Odita Kelvin for Discuss/Shot Put and Okon Richard for Hammer and Shot Put for the male category. In the women’s category, Horsfall Obeleye, John Udumezie Ifeanyi and Iheagwam Chikanele Eurania will feature in the discuss and Shot put throws. 
Yahaya Kongoila Safaya is the only female who will compete in the 100m and 200m sprint races, while Abimbola Abdulkabir Adeleke, Ofili Michael, Ogunleye Richard, Oyewole Adeboye, Akindamola Taoreed Akin, Ibrahim Idris, Nwokoma Innocent Solomon, Ajiboye Hammed Olusegun and Kalejaiye Adeleke will feature in the men’s 100m and 200m respectively.

Master athletes to compete in the men’s 400m are; Akindamola Taoreed Akin, Abubakar Dele, Suberu Yakubu, Seriki Oladipupo and Folawiyo Fatai Aderibigbe.

Nigeria will be represented in the men’s sprint relay by Ige Dele, Achi Solomon, Oyewole Adeboye, Niboro Nibson Jade and Aliyu Ibrahim. 

Other 4×100 athletes are; Nwokoya Innocent Solomon, Ajiboye Hammed Olusegun, Idisi Onome Steady and Esabour Oyerere Reuben.

 While the men’s 4×400m includes; Ajayi Samuel, Folawiyo Fatai Aderibigbe, Jeriki Oladipupo and Subaru Yakubu.

Osifo Linda will participate in the Long Jump and Triple Jump in the female category while Ige Dele and Achi Solomon are for the Long jump and Triple jump in the male category.

They will be accompanied by three officials; Aliyu Solomon ASP as team coach, Aliyu Abubakar DCP as team manager and the President Stadia AFMA Uruemu Adu as head of delegation.
We wish them all the best as they hope to leave Nigeria for Abidjan on Tuesday 22nd of August 2017.

IAAF World Relays: Home based athletes out of the Nigerian team!

The 2017 edition of the IAAF World Relay Championships whiich is set to hold in Nassau,  Bahamas for the 3rd consecutive time will kick off tomorrow,  April 22nd at the Thomas Robinson stadium and Nigeria will only be represented by her women’s team which consists of a handful of foreign based athletes as most home based athletes have one issue or the other.  

Speaking on the situation,  Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Technical Director,  Navy Comm.  Omatseye Nesiama gave concrete explanations about the latest development.  

“Mercy Ntai-Obong’s visa has expired,  her passport is going to be expiring in a month or two and if we have to start processing a visa for her from now,  she can’t make it” 

He continued “It’s a very sad thing because she’s one of the brightest athlete on the team.  Her name was already sent but we can’t be able to get a visa for her and it has to be a US visa and you know the process.  It’s quite unfortunate that she has that issue.  She has a visa but it’s not a two-year visa were she could do dropbox,  that’s the problem.  It’s very unfortunate and sad for all of us”

 Akure based athletes; Folasade Abugan and Omolara Omotosho will not be on the team reason being that they haven’t competed this year and AFN is not sure of the current form.  

“Look!  This World Relays thing now,  there are many things that are affecting it.  Sade Abugan and Omolara Omotosho,  their current form need to be properly checked.  It’s not about going there,  in the 4x200m we have the record so if we are going there we should go and put up a good show and even some of the athletes are not reachable.  The home based have some issues with visa and not knowing their current form because we had a competition where everybody was suppose to come.  So if you were not there,  then you are suspicious and that you’re not really ready for the season” he said.  
National Festival champion,  Peace Uko who is also listed for the 4x100m relay will not make the trip as a reliable  confirmed to Athletic Heat that she’s still in the country.  

 The last home based athlete on the team is National 400m Junior champion,  Praise Idamadudu who the Director could not speak on but as at the time of filing,  she was seen with her teammate’s of the University of Port Harcourt on their way to Markudi,  Benue state for the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) competition.  

Regina George and Christy Udo after winning the 4x200m at 2015 World Relays. 

Be that as it may,  the tentative list would now be; Blessing Okagbare,  Duncan Dominque,  Jennifer Madu and Stephanie Kalu for the 4x100m.  

Okagbare,  Duncan and Madu will join Patience Okon for the 4x200m wherein Nigeria is the defending champion in the event while Patience will team up with Jennifer Edobi,  Margaret Bamgbose and Ugonna Ndu for the 4x400m event.

  
If these four strong athletes; Abugan,  Omolara,  Ntai-Obong and Idamadudu are not on the team it means the same athletes that run in the 4x200m and 4x400m heats would run the finals as well without substitutions.  

That was the same scenario at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing  when the women’s 4x400m which included Patience Okon,  Tosin Adeloye,  Regina George and Funke Oladoye surprisingly beat the Jamaican team to win their semifinal to run a then Season’s Best (SB) of 3:23.27s but in the final,  they could only manage a 5th place running 2s slower than they did in the semifinal. 

“I am not excited but we dont have anything to say,  other countries have reserve but it’s the same people that ran yesterday (the semis) that ran today (the final) but other countries like Jamaica,  US,  Russua,  Canada they have their reserve and it’s those reserve that joined those people that ran today to perforn very well” Tosin Adeloye speaking in a post race interview after their 5th place finish.  

It might be the same story this year but we only hope for the best as the final eight countries in the 4x100m and 4x400m will automatically qualify for the World Championships in London by August.  

This is one of the problems that the incoming AFN board should look into because if there was adequate preparation all these issues won’t be happening.  Good luck to the ladies!  

Solomons Dalung gives stern warning as he releases guidelines for Federation elections

Abuja – Earlier today, April 14th 2017 the Minister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung held a one-day stakeholder’s forum with Presidents of Sports Federations on national sports federations’ election guidelines at the Media Center, Package ‘A’ at the National Stadium, Abuja. 

Speaking at the event, Mr Dalung said “One of the challenges of the sports sector lies in the foundation, the structure and leadership of National Sports Federations, because they are responsible for promoting and coordinating the development of the various sports in the country, as well as encouraging mass participation at all levels”

He also laid emphasis concerning the rumors that the ministry had vested interest and candidates. 

“I use this opportunity, therefore to reiterate what I have always stated in the past- I do not have any candidate in these elections and therefore, have no vested interest in who becomes a member of the new boards. 

“Furthermore, to ensure the neutrality of the ministry, we will constitute an election committee made up of reputable citizens within and outside the sports sector, which will conduct the 2017 National Sports Federation elections, he said” 

 
He went on to state that any current Federation president who is also serving as a member of any international sports body is not eligible to contest in the forthcoming election. 

Dalung didn’t mince words when he said that it’s time for fresh ideas, new brains and vibrant leadership in the 25 sports federations in the country.

“If anyone intend to aspire for political office in any of the federations, he or she must go and start lobbying the delegates now because nobody can come here and bamboozle me with any letter claiming he I’d a government nominee. That era has passed, he said”.

SEE BELOW THE GUIDELINES FOR THE ELECTION

1.0​ PREAMBLE
1.1​ The various Sports Federations (hereinafter called the National Sports Federation) (NSFs) have the authority to administer the respective sports recognized by the Federal Ministry of Youth & Sports Development (FMYSD) and affiliated to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC)
1.2​ This Election Guideline spells out the composition of the Board, Eligibility, Electoral Committees, Election Regulations, Electoral Appeals Committee, Inauguration, etc. To guide the conduct of the elections into the respective National Sports Federation Boards
1.3​ The elections will be conducted by the respective National Sports Federations, with the Federal Ministry of Youth & Sports (FMYSD) or the National Olympic Committee (NOC) acting as election monitors.
2.0​ THE BOARD:

 

2.1​ Each Board shall comprise:

 

i) the President,

ii) Vice President(s),

iii) 11 other members or as provided for in their relevant constitution or statute and 

iiii) A Secretary General.

 

2.2​ Constituencies:

 

The Membership of each Board shall be drawn from the following constituencies:
i) Six (6) Zonal Representatives (each representing a Geo-Political zone in the country);

ii) One (1) Athletes’ Representative of the Sport;

iii) One (1) Institutional Representative;

iiii) One (1) or two (2) Representative(s) of International Sports body of the Sport. 

Where there are more than two Nigerians serving in such International sports bodies, the one with the highest rank shall be nominated to fill the slots. 

Where two or more persons are on the same level at international sports bodies, the one with higher number years of membership of such body shall be nominated into the Board of the National Sports Federation.  

v) One (1) Representative of the National Association of Women in Sports (NAWIS);

vi) One (1) Representative of National Association of Physical, Health Education, Recreation, Sports and Dance (NAPHER/SD);

vii) One (1) Philanthropist or an Ex-officio member or Sponsor ;

viii) One (1) Representative of the Technical Bodies of the Sport.
3.0​ GENERAL ELECTION:

​Eligibility:
3.1​ For a candidate to be eligible for membership of the Board of a National Sports Federation, he/she shall:

i) hold an educational qualification not below the West African School Certificate (WASC) or its equivalent;

ii) not be less than thirty (30) and not more than eighty (80) years of age as at the date of the election, except in the case of Athletes’ Representative who may be below 30 but not less than 21 years of age as at the time of the election. Athletes’ Representative shall in addition be an active athlete or have retired not more than four years prior to the election. Such athlete must have also represented Nigeria in at least two major international competitions and with no drug related infraction.

iii) have a clear understanding of the Federation’s responsibilities, values and norms;

iiii) not have been convicted of any crime within or outside Nigeria;

v) be a confirmed citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to contest for the post of President;

vi) have a veritable source of income;

vii) not be a member of any other sport other than the one they are vying for position; and

viii) have a manifesto detailing the vision and plan as well as the strategies for the attainment of such plan towards the uplift ment and advancement of the sport. The manifesto shall be made available to all electorates at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the elections.

 

3.2 President and Vice Presidential candidates:
i) who are occupying the post of president or vice President of an international sport body shall no contest for the post of president or vice President of a National Sports Federation.

ii) who have served two (2) consecutive terms as President of their National Sports Federation shall not contest for the post of President of that federation.
4.0​ ELECTORAL COMMITTEES
4.1​ Each NSF shall set up National Electoral Committee of not more than 5 members to conduct the National Election. The members of the Board of each NF as presently constituted shall not serve as member of the Electoral Committee.

4.2​ Each NSF shall set up Electoral committee in each zone to conduct the Zonal election. The Zonal Coordinator shall coordinate all the elections at the Zonal levels.
4.3​ FUNCTIONS OF THE ELECTORAL COMMITTEE
The Electoral Committees shall:

i) Supervise all elections in line with the Election Guidelines;​

ii) Announce/declare results immediately after the elections; and

iii) Reserve the right to postpone any election/s if there is proof of violation of any part of the Election Guidelines.

 

5.0 CONDUCT OF ELECTION

i) All voting shall be by secret ballot;

ii) There shall be no voting by proxy at any of the elections (Zonal and National).

iii) No candidate shall be voted for in absentia.

iiii) Zonal Elections shall be held at the respective Zonal Headquarters of the FMY&SD. All Zonal elections shall hold simultaneously.

v) The Chairman or a Representative of State Sports Associations in each Zone shall constitute the electorate for the zonal elections in their respective sports.

vi) The Board Members Designate from the different constituencies shall form the electorates at the National level.

vii) Elections for the positions of President and Vice President of the respective NSFs shall be held in Abuja.

viii) All national elections shall hold simultaneously.

ix) For an election to be valid, not less than two-third (2/3) of the total number of the electorate must be present and vote.

x) Winners shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast.

xi) In the case of a tie (draw), there shall immediately be another round of voting until a winner emerges;

xii) Three (3) nominations shall be allowed for each position, which must be seconded by a member of the electorate;

xiii) All contestants must sign an undertaking to abide by this Guideline and accept the decision/s of the Electoral Committee.

 

6.0​ DECLARATION OF RESULT
i) The Chairman of an Electoral Committee shall announce the results of Election immediately after the conclusion of the elections.

ii) Electronic copies of the results of Elections at the Zonal level shall reach the Chairman of the Electoral Committee at the National level within three (3) hours of conclusion of the elections. The duly signed copy of the results on the Federation’s letter-headed paper shall be forwarded to reach the Chairman of the Electoral Committee at the National level within 48 hours of the conclusion of the election.

7.0​ PETITIONS AND APPEALS
7.1.​ In the case of dissatisfaction with any aspect of the conduct and/or result of the elections, a candidate may seek redress by submitting a written Petition to an Elections Petition Committee which shall be set up by the concerned National Sports Federation.

7.2.​ The Ministry of Youth & Sports shall immediately inaugurate a 7 -member Electoral Appeals Committee as indicated below to consider and decide on all appeals arising from the decision/s of the Elections Petition Committee/s. The Committee shall be headed by the Legal Adviser/Head of Legal of the Ministry.

 

7.3​ The committee shall be composed as stated below:

i) Director/Legal Adviser, FMY&SD​​​- Chairman

ii) Director, FEAD​​​​​- Member

iii) Director GRSD​​​​​- Member

iiii) Director PMI​​​​​​- Member

v) Representative of the NOC​​​- Member

vi) Representative of States Directors of Sports.​- Member

vii) Assistant Director, HRM​​​​- Member/Secretary

7.4​ Aggrieved contestants reserve the right to appeal to the Appeal Committee.

i) Such appeal shall be in writing and addressed to the Chairman of the Appeal Committee, to reach him/her not later than 48 hours after the announcement of the results of the election against which he/she is appealing.

ii) All appeals shall be submitted with a non-refundable fee of N50,000.00 (Fifty thousand Naira) only at the zonal level and N100,000.00 (One hundred thousand Naira) only at the national level.

iii) Appellants who are not satisfied with the decision of the Electoral Appeal Committee shall appeal against such decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) with the applicable fees.

iiii) The decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sports shall be final, and not subject to contest in any court of law;

v) In the event of the nullification of an election result arising from the decision of the Appeal Committee, there shall be a bye-election within one (1) week of the decision.

7.5​ In the principle of fairness and transparency, the Chairman and members of the Electoral Committee shall not serve on either the Electoral Petitions Committee or Electoral Appeal Committees.​
8.0​ INAUGURATION
8.1​ All elected Boards of the National Sports Federations shall be inaugurated by the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development at a date convenient to the Honourable Minister, but not later than four (4) weeks from the conclusion of elections  
2017 NATIONAL SPORTS FEDERATIONS ELECTION TIMELINES 

SN ACTIVITIES DATES

1 Deadline for Setting Up of Electoral Committees by National Sports Federations

20 April, 17

2. Release of Nomination Forms

25 April, 2017

3. Deadline for Submission of Nomination Forms

02 May, 2017

4. Zonal Elections

09 May, 2017

5. Submission of Names of Representatives of Other Constituencies

12 May, 2017

6. Verification of the Names of Representatives of Other Constituencies

16-17 May, 2017

7 Hearing of Petitions and Appeals on Zonal Elections and Constituencies’ Representatives.

19-23 May, 2017

8 Bye Elections arising from Petitions and Appeals at Zonal And Constituency Levels

30 May, 2017

9. Election to the Positions of Federations Presidents & Vice Presidents

09 June, 2017

10 Hearing of Petitions

11-12 June, 2017

11. Hearing of Appeal Cases Including CAS

15-23 June, 2017

12. Bye-Elections arising from Petitions and Appeals

30 June, 2017

13. Inauguration of the National Sports Federation Boards

6 July, 2017

Abike Egbeniyi named C-USA Female Track Athlete of the Week

Murfreesboro, Tenn. – Following an impressive indoor season, Nigeria’s 2015 National 800m champion Abike Egbeniyi has brought the same momentum to the outdoor season. 

Abike who is a third year student at Middle Tennessee State University in US on Tuesday, April 11th was named the Female Track Athlete of the week for her scintilating performance at the Tennessee Relays last Thursday.  

Egbeniyi inspired a 1-2 finish for her school running an Outdoor Personal Best of 2:05.43s while teammate Abu Agnes followed closely in 2:05.73s. 
This is her second win of the season after clinching the 800m title at the Tennessee Rust Buster on March 25th where she posted a time of 2:07.18ss.
According to her school’s website  goblueraiders.com her time ranks first among C-USA in the 800m and is the ninth-best time in the US this year. 

At the meet Janet Amponsah, Agnes Abu, Loveth Odia and Abike broke their school 4x400m record for the second time this season to finish second in 3:35.76s.  

It is worthy to note that this is the second time Abike is receiving this honour after been named Co-Female Track Athlete of the Week on March 28, 2017 for clocking a time of 2:07.18s which ranked second-best time in the country at that time. 

It was her first outdoor weekly award and she shared the recognition with compatriot, Amusan Tobi of University of Texas El Paso.

Well done Abike, the best is yet to come! 

Atinaya Daniel, Harry Chukwudike others shine at All Comers

Port Harcourt, Rivers – The 2017 Nigerian athletic season got underway yesterday, April 12th at the University of Port Harcourt sports centre where the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) organized the All Comers competition. 

Atinaya Daniel of Delta State was one of the star athlete of the day as he led from start-to-finish stopping the clock in 47.29s to win his heat in the men’s 400m which was the fastest of all heats. Prior to the one lap race, he competed in the 100m qualifying round where he ran a time of 10.79s to take heat 3. 

Shedrack Akpeki of Cross River had the second best-time winning his heat in 48.39s ahead of Prosper Ogbonna who posted a time of 48.51s to finish third overall. 

Athlete to watch out for this season, Harry Chukwudike.

Harry Chukwudike of NSCDC thrilled the crowd in the men’s 100m winning in a time of 10.48s bettering his 10.72s in the heat. Favourite, Arowolo Emmanuel settled for second in 10.53s while Chukwudi Olisakwe was third in 10.58s. It’s worthy to note that Harry at Zone D preliminaries of NUGA stormed to a time of 9.9h in the 100m. 

Delta’s Praise Idamadudu comfortably won the women’s 400m in a time of 54.51s. Tracy Idugboe was second in 57.82s while Comfort James finished third in 58.63s.

Women’s 100m final won Mercy Ntai-Obong (middle). 

Mercy Ntia-Obong took the 100m women’s title in 11.70s. Lawal Rashidat followed in 11.81s while Adiakherewa Blessing was third in 12.00s. 

There were only 20 sticks available for the hurdles and so two athletes competed in each heat of the men’s 110m/400m hurdles and the women’s 100m/400m hurdles. 

Only two ladies competed in the women’s sprint hurdles which was won by Ayemoba Grace in 14.26s while Isa Esther of Eaglesight followed in 15.88s. 

The men’s 110mh had about 6 heats and Ojiekere Precious had the best time of 14.06s. Abejoye Oyeniyi followed closely in 14.07s while Osadolor Samuel was third overall in 14.76s. 

Abasiono Akpan had the fastest time of 63.96s in the women’s 400m hurdles. Delta’s Clifford Fego was second in 66.89s and Emmanuel Faith was third in 70.01s. 

National Junior champion Emoghene Timothy comfortably won his heat with 53.78s to return the fastest time in the men’s event. Prior Ochonogor posted a time of 55.14s while Kufre Samuel was third in 55.92s.  

In the 800m men, Akwa Ibom’s Eddiong Okon clocked a time of 2:00.82s to take the win. Faith Monday was second in 2:04.55s while Okpala Stanley was third in 2:06.86s. 

Genesis Barnabas of Kids &Play won the men’s 3000m in 9:52.73s while Abasi-Ibianake Sunday won the women’s event in 11:00.42s. 

Away from the track, Ogbukwo Eucharia won the women’s Shot Put with a distance of 14.62s. Aniefuna Anulieka was second in 12.60m while Michael Gift finished third in 12.35m.

Uniport’s Anulieka Aniefuna competing in the women’s shot put

Junior sensation, Princess Kara won the Women’s Discuss in 44.78m. Ugeh Kasie and Anulieka were second and tbits with 36.78m and 25.84m respectively. 

Top 3 in the women’s Javelin were Francesca Chukwu (40.84m), Mercy Honesty (40.03m) and Ugeh Kasie (38.85m). 

Olajide Abiola caught the attention of the crowd with his prolific jumps and it was no surprise when he won the men’s Triple Jump in 15.82m. Nzube Ihezue (15.44m) and Meyiwa Ine (15.16m) were second and third redpectively. Mercy Honesty won the women’s Triple Jump in 12.62m while Clifford Fego was second in 11.33m. 

Lone star’s Oluwayemi Blessing took the victory in the men’s Long Jump with a leap of 7.26m. Okpara Theddus was second in 7.04m while David Kingston was third (7.04m). 

Marian Thompson of Cross River jumped a mark of 5.90m to win the women’s event. Odiphri Victory followed in 5.64m and HIT’s Kome Okolosi was third (5.52m). 

It’s a commendable performance from the athletes and it can only get better! 
Photo Credit: MakingOfChampions

List of Hotels around University of Port Harcourt

The first AFN competition is set to hold on Wednesday, April 12th and athletes from all over the country will convege at the CAA High Performance Center, Uniport for The All Comers meet. Athletic Heat has come up with a list of hotels around the University for athletes and officials who may not have anywhere to stay. 

1) Odum. J Hotel 
Address: No. 1 Odums street, East West Road Choba. 

Single room without AC – N3,000.

Single room with AC -N4,000. 

Odum Suite – N5,000

Direction: From Odums junction, you take a cab going into Abuja Campus. 

2) Compact Hotel 

Address: No 2 Chief Amos Wegwu Annex Off Alikor Estate . Uniport Road behind Genesis Choba. 

Standard Room – N5,000.

Executive Room – N8,000. 

Both rooms have AC. 

Description: The hotel is 1km away from the University of Port Harcourt. 

3)  Kokoon UPTH Guest House 

Address : It’s inside Uniport Teaching Hostel . 

Royal Bedroom: N12,000

Deluxe bedroom : N9,000

Standard bedroom –  N7,000.

Description: 5 minutes walk into the University of Port Harcourt (Abuja Campus) 

4) Eze Hotel

Address: The hotel is located at Alakahia junction opposite UPTH.

Single Room – N4,500

Standard Room – N5,500

Double Room – N6,000.  

Description: When you come out of the street, you go across the road and take a shuttle to Abuja Campus. 

Hope this will help and we wish everyone a safe trip to and from Port Harcourt, Rivers state. 

AFN consider Student-Athletes writing SSCE

The National Junior and Youth trails which is tagged D. K Olukoya Championship was initially billed for the 7th and 8th of April at the High Performance Center, Uniport  but was postponed to Monday 10th April because of the NUGA prelims which was held at the same venue.
 
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has thought it wise to consider the student-athletes who are currently writing their SSCE exams and so therefore the D. K Olukoya competition has been postponed to a further date that is yet-to-be decided. 

With that been cleared, the AFN has decided to go on with the All Comers which was meant to be done on the same day as the Youth and Junior championship but will now hold on Wednesday, April 12th at the same venue and it’s open to Senior athletes but Junior and Youth athletes who are free (not writing exams) can also compete at the competition. 

In our next article we will give a list of hotel accommodations around the competition venue. 

NUGA Prelims: Team Uniport rules Zone D

Port Harcourt, Rivers – It was a flawless victory for the students of the University of Port Harcourt as they dominated Zone D of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Preliminaries which was held on the 6th and 7th April at the High Performance Center, Uniport. 

The two day  athletic event -which was one of many sports competed in- saw some of Nigeria’s finest and fastest athletes represent their school in the various event. It was a competition between Team Uniport vs The World.

3-time Commonwealth Youth Champion Aniekeme Alphonsus of Team Uniport dominated the 100m in a blasting time of 11.1s. Teammate Ifunaya Muoghalu finished 2nd in 11.6s while Team UniUyo’s Esther Dempster was 3rd in 12.6s. 

In the half lap race, Team Uniport’s Praise Idamadudu won in the women’s event. Aniekeme was 2nd while Dempster was 3rd. 

Praise Idamadudu took her second victory as she jogged the other ladies to win the 400m in 54.0s. Teammate Glory Patrick was in 2nd (56.5s) while Uniuyo’s Fabian Ekaete was far way in 3rd (63.7s). 

Team Uniport comfortably won the women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay races leaving Team UniUyo and Team Unical to struggle for 2nd and 3rd but Team Uniuyo got the better of Unical in both races. 

Chinonso Nwocka was victorious in the 800m and 1500m for Team Uniport while Nation Junior Champ Uche Brown won the Long Jump and Triple Jump. 

On the men’s side, jaw breaking times were achieved especially in the sprints as Team Uniport’s Harry Chukwudike breasted the tape in a scorching time of 9.9s to finish first in the 100m ahead of teammate Idjesa Uruemu (10.1s) and Uniuyo’s Nsika Anthony (10.3s). 

In the 200m, Chukwudike Harry continued his fine form as he stopped the clock in 20.8s.Eseroghene Oguma also of TeamUniport was in 2nd (21.3s) while Team Uniuyo Nsika was 3rd (21.5s). 

Shedrack Ogbukwo and Kalu Chidozie made it a 1-2 in the 400m for Team Uniport in 48.3s and 49.4s. Team Uniuyo’s Brown Victor finished 3rd in 50.8s. 

Team Uniport’s Edidiong Udo was vidtorious in the 800m and 1500m while Oluwayemi Blessing won the Long Jump also for Team Uniport. 

It was a work over for Team Uniport in the 4x100m with Idjesa Uruemu, Eseroghene Oguma, Oluwayemi Blessing and Harry Chukwudike running a time of 41.0s to claim the victory while Team Uniuyo and Team Unical was 2nd and 3rd respectively. 

The relay quartert of Chidozie Kalu, Eseroghene Oguma, Adura Barry and Shedrack Ogbukwo won the men’s 4x400m. Team Uniuyo was in 2nd and Team Unical finished 3rd.

 

Team UniUyo’s men and women sprint relay team with thier coaches. 
In other events like Pole Vault, Women’s shot put, 10000m, 3000m, 400m hurdles, 100m hurdles only two athletes were available in each of these events and it was automatic qualification for them. 

It’s worthy to note that in other sports; Badminton, Chess, Swimming, Judo, Tennis, Table Tennis, Taekwando amongst others TeamUniport dominated in every category. 87 athletes represented the school and 86 of them qualified for the main Games. All road leads to Markudi for the Games which will take place between the 19th to 30th April but Athletics and Swimming will be in Abuja. 
Note: All times recorded were hand timed.

D.K Olukoya Championships/All Comers to hold on April 10th in PH

Port Harcourt, Rivers – There is so much controversy surrounding the D.K Olukoya Junior and Youth Championships and the AFN All Comers meet for elite athletes with many having mixed feelings about both competitions. 

In a press release made available to Athletic Heat by the AFN Technical Director Navy Comm. Omatseye Nesiama states that “The above championship earlier scheduled for 7th/8th April, 2017 has been postponed to Monday 10th April, 2017″. 

He continued “The postponement is due to the NUGA preliminaries taking place same period and venue with athletes and officials hugely tasked for both events”. 

There were speculations as to where and when the All Comers meet for elite athletes would take place, Navy. Comm. Nesiama said “It is pertinent to notify that the Technical Committee has approved that provision be made for some elite events to be featured in order to give opportunity for athletes to register performances as the season opens”. 

Note: The screening for the age-grade competition (D.K Olukoya Championship) will take place on Sunday, April 9th and the venue still remains the High Performance Center, University of Port Harcourt. 

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Arowolo, Ajayi shines at 3rd TAFCAN Meet

Yaba, Lagos- As the athletic season is fast  approaching, the Lagos Chapter of the Track and Field Coaches Association of Nigeria (TAFCAN) organized it’s 3rd athletic meet at the Yaba College of Technology on Friday March 31st, but this time the athletes competed in their specific events; 100m, 200m, 400m, Long Jump Women, Triple Jump Men amongst other events. 

Emmanuel Arowolo was the man to beat in the men’s 100m final as he blasted to victory in a time of 10.2s. Bamiyo Obute followed in second place with 10.4s while Peter Edwin finished third also in 10.4s. 

The Women’s event had 5 heats after which it was split into Junior and Senior categories for the final. Rashidat Lawal who had the fastest qualifying time of 11.8s bettered it in the final to 11.4s to take the victory. Goodnews Thomas was in secong wuth 12.2s while Perpetual Dikeocha finished in third in 12.3s. 

Blessing Ogundiran clinched the victory in the Women’s Junior event with a time of 11.5s. Anita Taviore in second (11.7s) while Glory Nyeke was third (12.0s). 

The Junior Men category was won by Peter Chukwu (10.7s). Chigozie Nweke and Emmanuel Ajibodu were second and third in 11.2s and 11.3s respectively. 

African Championship medalist, Ajayi Yinka won the Women’s Senior 400m race. Blessing Obarierhu won the Junior Women’s event in 57.8s. Glory Nyeke followed in 58.5s and Yewande Johnson was in third (60.8s). 

Experienced athlete, Nathniel Samson had the fastest time of 46.3s in the men’s 400m event to win his heat. Followed by Akindele Atanda who took heat 4 in 47.8s. Other winners  includes Sodiq Adebisi (49.7s) and Emmanuel Akpan (50.8s). 

Olanrewaju Fahd had the overall best time of 50.3s In the Men’s Junior event. Jeremiah Nathaniel followed in 50.4s to win heat 3 while Fatola Adedoyin’s 50.5s placed him in third position.

In the Junior 200m Women, Joy Udo-Gabriel and Ruth Usoro posted the same time of 24.9s to win heat 1 and 2 respectively. Ajayi Yinka once again dominated in the half lap race as she won the Women’s Senior category with 23.2s. Glory Nathaniel in second (23.6s) while Rashidat Lawal finished third in 23.9s. 

Arowolo proved that his time in the 100m was not a fluke as he had the fastest time in the men’s event with 21.0s. Samson Nathaniel was second in 21.3s while Peter Edwin was third (21.7s). 

Meanwhile the field athletes were also in action as Monsuru Ganyi won the Men’s Hammer throw in 47.38m. Egbeogbu Uzo second (44.65m) and Olawale Olatunji third (41.39m).

National Champion, Feyisayo Daramola won the Womens event in 50.88m while Cecilia Instance was in second (48.88m). 

Junior wonder, Isaac Odugbesan was unstoppable in the men’s Shot Put, throwing a distance of 17.03m. Olawale Olatunji in second (13.90m) and Ganiyu Monsuru in third (12.29m). 

Avajah Stephanie won the women’s event in 9.42m. Cecilia Inyang in second (7.88m) and Omoshola Blessing in third (7.20m). 

To the surprise of the spectators present, Isah Esther won the Women’s Long Jump event in 5.51m. Usoro Ruth was second in 5.41m while Onuora Obamuwagun was third in 5.06m. 

Ruth Usoro leaping in the Women’s Long Jump

Monday Godwin won the men’s Triple Jump with a mark of 13.84m. Dare Olufarati was second in 13.70s and Lebi Psalm was third in 13.62m. 

The relays were the highlight of the day as Team Eagle Sight won the 4x200m mixed relay in 1:33.1s. Team MoC was in second (1:35.2s) while Team Blessed finished third in 1:35.5s. 

The 4x200m mixed relay about to get under way.

Team Buka Tigers stole the victory in the men’s 4x400m with a time of 3:18.7s. Team Blessed (3:19.7s) and Team Eagle Sight (3:21.8s) finished second and third respectively.

Its a great assessment for the Junior athletes as they will be looking forward to D. K Olukoya Championships in Port Harcourt. Click here https://theathleticheat.wordpress.com/2017/04/01/confirmed-d-k-olukoya-set-to-hold-next-week/ to read more. 

Note: All times were hand timed. 

Photo Credit: MakingOfChamps.com