Sports

Five Nigerian Starlets to Watch at African Junior Athletics Championships

Published

1 year ago

June 27, 2025

Joel Ajayi

With just 20 days remain before Africa’s next generation of track and field stars converge for the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships, from July 16-20 in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

For Team Nigeria, it’s more than a championship — it’s a launchpad.

A golden opportunity for rising stars to announce themselves on the continental stage and ignite careers that could shape the future of Nigerian athletics.

Among the contingent gearing up to wear the green-white-green with pride, a standout group of talents is already turning heads both locally and internationally. Meet the names to watch as they prepare to dazzle in Abeokuta:

Chioma Nwachukwu: Events: 400m, 4x400m Relay, PBs: 400m – 51.26s | Indoor – 52.07s | 4x400m Relay – 3:26.90, College: University of Iowa.

A gold medalist at the 2022 National Sports Festival and a champion at the Nigerian University Games (NUGA), Chioma has shattered school records at the University of Iowa in both the indoor and outdoor 4x400m relays.

Okon Israel: Events: 60m, 100m, 200m, 4x100m Relay, PBs: 100m – 9.91s | 60m – 6.51s | 200m – 20.80s, College: Auburn University.

Okon is rewriting history. His blistering 6.51s in the 60m tied the school record at Auburn, placing him alongside legends like Davidson Ezinwa and Favour Ashe on Nigeria’s all-time list.

A silver medalist at the SEC Indoor Championships and bronze medalist at the NCAA Indoors, he also led Nigeria to gold in the 4x100m at the 2023 African Games.

Favour Onyah: Events: 400m, 200m, 4x400m Relay, PBs: 400m – 51.93s | 200m – 24.35s | 4x400m Relay – 3:40.46, College: Southeastern Louisiana University

Named the 2024 Southland Conference Women’s Track & Field Freshman of the Year, Favour is fast becoming a dominant force in the quarter-mile.
Gafari Badmus: Events: 400m, 200m, 800m, 4x400m Relay: PBs: 400m – 45.62s | 200m – 21.64s | 800m – 1:56.48 | Mixed Relay – 3:25.59, College: Not currently enrolled.

Gafari is one of the brightest prospects in Nigeria’s youth athletics system. Already a gold medalist in the men’s 4x400m relay at the 2024 National Sports Festival, he has medaled across multiple distances and showcased versatility with a promising 800m personal best.

John Caleb: Events: 100m, 200m, 4x100m Relay, PBs: 100m – 10.39s | 200m – 21.19s | 4x100m – 40.28s, College: Not currently enrolled.

A two-time champion at MTN CHAMPS Benin and Lagos, John Caleb is the definition of consistency. He impressed at the U18 Athletics

Trials and has proven to be one of the country’s fastest teenagers.

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Sports

Nigeria Volleyball Reporters Congratulates Oguntimehin On Election As Fct Swan Chairman

Published

13 hours ago

November 12, 2026

The Gleamer

The Nigeria Volleyball Reporters Association (NVRA) has congratulated Tolu Oguntimehin on his election as Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter.

NVRA described his emergence as an opportunity to strengthen sports journalism and advance the welfare of members.

Oguntimehin emerged victorious at the FCT SWAN elective congress held on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, defeating his challenger, Raphael Ekpang, by 88 votes to four.

In a congratulatory message, the Chairman of Nigeria Volleyball Reporters, Alhaji Ganiyu Oloyede described the election outcome as a testament to the confidence reposed in Oguntimehin by members of the association.

Oloyede expressed optimism that the new chairman would bring purposeful leadership, inclusiveness and renewed commitment to the development of sports journalism in the FCT.

He stressed that the responsibility of leading the association goes beyond occupying an office.

Oloyede noted that the new administration must prioritise members’ welfare, professional development, unity and the protection of their collective interests.

The NVR chairman also challenged the incoming leadership to create an enabling environment where sports journalists can thrive professionally, gain greater access to sporting events and contribute meaningfully to the growth of Nigerian sports.

He particularly welcomed Oguntimehin’s commitment to establishing a ₦200 million financial base for the association, describing the proposed initiative as an ambitious step towards building a financially stronger and more sustainable SWAN FCT.

Oloyede further emphasised the importance of collaboration among sports journalists, sports federations, government institutions and other stakeholders, maintaining that stronger partnerships would create more opportunities for members and improve the quality of sports reporting.

He urged the new executive to embrace transparency, accountability and open communication while ensuring that every member feels represented in the administration.

The Nigeria Volleyball Reporters reaffirmed its readiness to work with the new SWAN FCT leadership in promoting sports journalism, strengthening professional relationships and projecting Nigerian sports positively.

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