The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has announced a 25-member Nigerian team to represent the country at the IAAF World Championships taking place in Doha, Qatar from the 27th of September to 6th of October, 2019.
The team comprises of the 100 metre & 200 metre NCAA double champion Divine Oduduru, African Games Gold medalist Raymond Ekevwo, and the Queen of track and field Blessing Okagbare.
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To compete for the Men’s 100 metre event are, Divine Oduduru, Raymond Ekevwo and Itsekiri Usheoritse while Emmanuel Arowolo as well as Divine Oduduru will represent the country in the Men’s 200m event.
Blessing Okagbare, is the country’s sole representative in the Women’s 100 and 200 metre events.
National Champion, Patience George Okon and the just concluded African Games Silver Medalist, Favour Ofili will represent the country in the Women’s 400m event.
African Games and Commonwealth Gold Medallist Tobiloba Amusan will feature in the Women’s 100mH while Rilwan Alowonle and Edose Ibadin will feature in the Men’s 400mH and 800m events respectively.
For Field events, African Games Gold Medallists Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and Oyesade Olatoye will feature in the Men and Women’s shot-put events respectively while African Games Discus throw champion Chioma Onyekwere will feature in the Women’s Discus throw event.
Nigeria’s outstanding Long Jumper and African Games Gold Medallist Ese Brume will feature in the Women’s long jump event.
Representing the country at the Relays are Enoch Adegoke, Ogho-Oghene, Seye Ogunlewe, Divine Oduduru, Itsekiri Usheoritse, Arowolo Emmanuel as well as Raymond Ekevwo who will all participate in the Males 4x100m while Rosemary Chukwuma, Bukola Jasper, Ntia-Obong Mercy, Joy Udo-Gabriel, and Blessing Ogundiran will represent the females.
Representing at the 4x400m Female Relay is a team consisting of Patience George Okon, Favour Ofili, Blessing Oladoye, Abike Egbeniyi, and Blessing Ovwighoa-Jabre.
The Coaches team led by the AFN Technical Director, Sunday Omotayo Adeleye includes Gabriel Okon, Kayode Yaya, Ogunkoya Sean Micheal, Endurance Teye, Opuana Gabriel and Soetan Olalekan Stephen.
In conclusion, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, will like to make of worthy note that the entire team has been selected based on the IAAF qualification standard and are prepared to deliver on the set mandate. The team departs for Doha, Qatar on Saturday 22nd of September 2019.
