BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Team Nigeria has officially announced its full squad list for the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championship, set to hold from July 16 to 20 at the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

 A total of 96 athletes will represent the host nation in what is expected to be a thrilling showcase of young African talent.

The team comprises a blend of promising male and female athletes across both age categories.

The U20 men’s team leads in number with 30 athletes, followed by the U18 boys with 24 athletes. On the women’s side, 18 athletes will compete in the U18 category, while 24 athletes will represent Nigeria in the U20 women’s division.

Strong Support Team Backing the Athletes

The athletes will be supported by a robust technical and backroom staff that includes 22 coaches, 8 medical personnel, and 8 additional team members, among them a psychologist, physiotherapists, logistics coordinators, a team secretary, and media personnel — all dedicated to ensuring optimal performance and team management.

Final Preparations Underway

In preparation for the continental meet, Nigeria’s sprint relay quartet — Lucy Nwankwo, Success Oyibu, Anita Itohan, and Chika Bakwunye — participated in the recent AFN/Dynamic Athletics Meet, fine-tuning their baton exchanges and synchronization ahead of the championship.

Officials from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) revealed that all selected athletes have undergone intensive training camps, fitness assessments, and performance trials aimed at ensuring Nigeria remains a dominant force in African athletics.

A Nation Poised for Glory

As Nigeria gears up to host athletes from over 40 African nations, expectations are high that the home team will deliver a strong performance and capitalize on home advantage.

The Abeokuta championship marks a significant milestone for Nigerian athletics, both as host and as a contender for top honours.

With a deep pool of young talent and strong institutional backing, Team Nigeria is poised to not only compete but also inspire a new generation of stars and uphold the country’s legacy in track and field.

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Kenya Harrison Muchira Wanjiru won the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon half-marathon on Saturday in 1 hour 04.39; on his heels was another Kenyan, Adam Sulaiman Muhamad, who was second in 1.05.27, and a Nigerian Francis James Musa came third in 1.05.51.

If Kenyans dominated the men’s race, the women’s race was dominated by Ethiopians. Lydia Natiyaka Wamalawa of Ethiopia won the women’s race in 1 hour 15.3, Aberash Minsewo, another Ethiopian, was second in 1.17.14, and like in the men’s race, a Nigerian Patience Dalyop was third in 1.21.15.

Nigerian runners dominated the 5 km race, they also won most of the prizes reserved for ECOWAS citizens.

Each one for his reason, thousands of runners pounded the streets of Abuja on Saturday as the 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon flags off at the ECOWAS Commission Yakubu Gowon Way, a little after 8.00 am, while the 5 km race started shortly after.

For the elite runners that participated in the 21-kilometer race of Africa’s most lucrative half-marathon, the focus was on the $ 10,000 prize money for the top finisher.

Ditto for the top runners in the 5km race whose sights were also fixed on the prize money for the top five finishers.

For former presidential aspirant Omoyele Sowore, a constant face in marathons and road races in Nigeria, America and other parts of the world, the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon was another medium to carry his message of justice for humanity to every part of the world.

Sowore did not run alone; he ran with the #Run with Sowore Group and other members of his Lazy Man Athletics Club.

However, the majority of runners like Blessing Mozie participated because running has become a way of life.

A staff member of the Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria, she ran on Saturday because running has become a part and parcel of Lagos-born Mozie’s life.

Before moving to Abuja, Mozie participated in several editions of the Lagos City Marathon, running the full marathon, but she ran the 5 km on Saturday because she is not used to the Abuja roads.

”I was born in Lagos, I grew up there, so I am familiar with the route, but I am not too familiar with the Abuja routes. Maybe in future, I will run the half marathon and the full marathon in Abuja.

“I think running is something everybody should do because of its immense health benefits.

“For me, running is not a fashion statement but a way of life because it is good for the body generally, and I am encouraging everybody to embrace the culture of running; the benefits are immeasurable.

An estimated 5,000 Nigerian and international runners battled for $71,000 prize money on Saturday.

 The men’s and women’s winners of the 21 km half-marathon race won $10,000. 

Also, all the first 200 runners to cross the line received bronze medals to show they had participated.

The Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee and ECOWAS Director of Youth and Sports, Amb. Francis Njoaguani noted that the event was part of activities to commemorate ECOWAS at 50.

Njoaguani stated that the initiative is aimed at encouraging regional participation and celebrating homegrown talent.

He noted that the future goal is to achieve the World Athletics Gold Label status within the next four years, positioning the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon among the most prestigious road races globally.

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Nigeria’s foremost marathon and road race club, the High Altitude Athletics Club of Jos, Plateau State, is sending a strong field of elite runners to the 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon, which will take place on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

Stephen Nuhu, the club manager and coach, disclosed that over 30 runners have arrived in Abuja for Saturday’s race.

The runners who will compete in the half marathon include Sati Musa Bala, Mathias Nenfort Gofwen, Mandela Banki, Geofrey Koptin Gomam, John Dauda, Elisha Friday, Shaba Dare Eniola, Yohanna Friday, Gwet Tokbe Christopher, Shambor Blessing Solomon, Agofure Charity, Akusho Lydia Thomas, Danjuma Agnes, and Mathew Nancy.

Nuhu also disclosed that his club aim to win the men’s and women’s titles and also the 5km family race,

“We have some very good young runners who have what it takes to win the 5km, our challenge is the 21km race. We are determined to beat the teams from other ECOWAS nations, especially Ghana, Senegal and others who we are reliably informed are sending a strong team”

Nuhu commended the ECOWAS Commission for increasing the prize money and prompt payment,

“When it comes to prompt payment of prize money, ECOWAS Commission is number one, they will never tell you stories, you get your money once technical officials have certified you as the winner.”

Elsewhere, the Ghanaian Athletics Association and the Ghana Army are also sending strong teams to the 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon. 

The Ghana team expressed readiness to storm Abuja with 20 men and women runners with the sole aim of winning some prizes in the men’s and women’s categories.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Okon, the Race Director, has urged registered runners to collect the running number, vest, certificate, participants’ guide and others at the VIO Office, Federal Secretariat Car Park, Eagles Square, Abuja,

“We are there from 9 am to 5 pm daily, registered runners and those that intend to register are welcome, they can fill out the form free and collect their kits immediately”.

Okon warned that there won’t be registration and collection of kits on race day.  

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