Sports

Olympics Trials: Spectators light up athletics meet in Lagos

Published

4 years ago

June 20, 2021

…as championship ends today with relays

It’s heart-warming to witness the huge spectators turn-out to watch athletics competition occasioned by 4-day Olympic athletics Trials taking place at Yaba College of Technology Sports complex in Lagos.

Just like in the Mobil Championship days, It is however a positive surprise to most athletics watchers that this crowd could be interested in watching Athletics where football is trending in Europe, Africa and Nigeria.

Day two of the competition was fantastic as crowd took over all the stands having watched Blessing Okagbare who nearly smashed the African record with her wind aided 10:63secs on Thursday evening.

The new board members of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria were really not sure what the spectators were watching until the jumps started.

The way the crowd roared after each successful jump by jumpers.at Yaba College of technology was a delight.

“For some time now we have not had such an appreciative crowd. It’s good for athletics and would enhance athletes confidence,” said a board member, Victor Okorie.

He attributed the presence of the crowd to the appearance of Athletes like Blessing Okagbare, Tobi Amusan, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Grace Nkwocha etc.

Meanwhile, as expected, the third day of the championships was dominated by the throwers with two National Record Holders, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and Annette Echikunwoke entertaining the crowd in men’s Shot Put and women’s Hammer throw respectively.

Enekwechi, already through to the Olympics, won the shot put with a throw of 21.47m with Dotun Ogundeji taking the silver with a throw of 19.68m.

The third position goes to Eke Kalu of the Nigeria Custom, throwing the distance of 17.16m.

It was a wide gap between the two US-based hammer thrower and the other athletes competing in the event as they came up with the gold and silver medal.

Echikunwoke, the current World No.6 in the event, emerged winner after throwing a distance of 72.07m as Oyesade Olatoye finished second with a distance of 67.42m.

Third position went to Eucharia Ogbukwu in a distance of 37.80m

The final day of the trials will see athletes competing in the Masters Relay, Long Jump (women), 4x400m (women and men), 4x100m (women and men), 4x400m mixed relay and the men’s javelin final.

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Sports

Team Nigeria Jets to Cairo for 11th World Para Powerlifting Championships

Published

1 hour ago

October 7, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Excitement is high as Team Nigeria’s para powerlifting contingent departed Nigeria on Tuesday, October 7, for the 11th World Para Powerlifting Championships set to take place in Cairo, Egypt, from October 9 to 18, 2025.

The milestone event marks the first-ever World Championships to be hosted on African soil, symbolizing a new era for the sport on the continent.

The first batch of Team Nigeria athletes left the country on Tuesday amid cheers and well-wishes from officials, fans, and supporters.

The second batch of the contingent is scheduled to depart tomorrow, October 8, from Lagos, completing the full team that will represent the nation at this landmark competition.

Speaking ahead of the departure, officials expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and determination to uphold Nigeria’s longstanding reputation as a force to be reckoned with, in global para powerlifting.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) reaffirmed its full support for the athletes, emphasizing the government’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and excellence in sports.

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