Sports

National Athletics Trials: Okagbare races to 8th 100m title…As Adegoke emerges Nigeria’s fastest man

Published

5 years ago

June 17, 2021

It was a great spectacle for the fans that thronged the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos on Thursday, June 17, the opening day of the 2021 National Olympic Games trial as Nigeria’s undisputed queen of thetrack, Blessing Okagbare and rave of the moment Enoch Adegoke gave them something that will linger in their memories for a long, long time.

The 32 year old Olympics, World and Commonwealth Games medalist stormed to a 10.63 seconds finish to win the women’s 100m title.

It was her eighth National 100m title to pull clear of Endurance Ojokolo as the second most decorated sprinter in the blue ribband race after Mary Onyali who won 11 titles. Okagbare showed a glimpse of what to expect in the semi final heat when she scorched to a 10.99 seconds finish

Okagbare’s 10.63 seconds finish is the fastest time ever run in the national championship and the 2014 Commonwealth Games double sprint gold medal winner said she is in great form ahead of the delayed 2020 Olympic Games.
“Since the start of this season, i see myself as very ready,” she said.

“I feel healthy, stronger and like the real Blessing Okagbare again. I am really happy that this time came down today, it will boost my confidence, my faith and trust in God. I just hope this same thing happen at the Olympics.
“I have been working on everything and I hope it counts at the big stage, that’s the Olympics.

I was very disappointed at my last meet when I ran 11.2, I was like this is not me, so when they mentioned the trials, I said I am going to be there, not because I just want to run, but because I really want to compete and run well.”But above all, I am healthier and when you have good health, the confidence will be there, and I am hoping for the best in Tokyo.

“I have to go to the Olympics, do better than I did or better still replicate it, you might not need to run like this to win the Olympics, at the Games you just want to get to the finishing line.”

Another US-based athlete, Rosemary Chukwuma finished second in 11.07 while National Sports Festival winner, Grace Nwokocha finished third in 11.11 seconds.
In the absence of US-based Divine Oduduru and Raymond Ekevwo, the fans were looking up to Edo 2020 Festival duo of Alaba Akintola and Enoch Adegoke winning the trials.

Akintola however cupped an injury in the semis leaving Adegoke who raced home in a new 10.00 seconds personal best and in the process confirm his place in Team Nigeria’s flight to the Olympics in Tokyo.

Adegoke thought he had made the 10.05 seconds entry standard in the semifinal but he was just one hundreth of a second off the time as he was timed 10.06 seconds.

Other opening day results saw Fatoyinbo Gbenga and Fadekemi Olude winning the 20km Race Work for both men and women respectively.

Share on Facebook

Sports

NSC DG Olopade Applauds FCT’s Move to Develop Gwagwalada Mini Stadium

Published

56 mins ago

November 3, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for the planned construction of a mini stadium in Gwagwalada, describing the initiative as a significant boost to sports development in the territory.

Hon. Olopade said the project aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, particularly its commitment to the development of sports infrastructure across the country.

According to the DG, the proposed Gwagwalada Mini Stadium, when completed, will serve as an important sporting facility during the 2027 African School Games scheduled to hold in Abuja, while also providing young athletes in the FCT with access to quality sports infrastructure to nurture their talents.

“As I speak, over 30 contractors have been mobilized to various sites to ensure that sporting facilities and infrastructure are put in place for both our young and elite athletes across the country, Hon, Olopade said.

He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his unprecedented support for sports development, noting that the Federal Government had committed over ₦200 billion to the rehabilitation and development of sports infrastructure nationwide.

“We are more than grateful at the Sports Commission because Mr President has been very supportive of sports like never before. His commitment to spending over ₦200 billion on infrastructure revamp across the country will ensure that indigent children have access to quality facilities to harness their sporting potential,” he added.

The DG emphasized that sports infrastructure remains a critical factor in achieving excellence, noting that the availability and quality of facilities play a major role in athletes’ performance and their ability to secure podium finishes at international competitions.

He described the planned construction of the Gwagwalada Mini Stadium as a welcome development, commending Wike for his continued commitment to infrastructure development in the FCT.

“The construction of the Gwagwalada Mini Stadium by the FCT Minister is a massive welcome development for the Sports Commission. The Minister deserves all the accolades for the good work he has been doing in the FCT, particularly in the area of construction and infrastructure development,” Hon. Olopade said.

The NSC reiterated its commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to ensure the development of sporting facilities that will support grassroots participation, talent discovery and the overall growth of sports in Nigeria.

Share on Facebook