Nigeria's team hopes to keep leading in track and field at the African Games as athletes start competing on Monday (today) at the ongoing 2023 edition in Ghana.
From the first African Games in Congo Brazzaville in 1965, Nigeria has excelled in athletics, earning a total of 309 medals including 141 gold, 104 silver, and 64 bronze.
While other events continue at different venues, focus will move to the University of Ghana Sports Complex, where eight events will start and move into the semi-finals.
The Nigerian team will participate in the men’s and women’s 100m, 400m, 800m, and mixed 4x400m relay, with the 110m hurdles also taking place.
Nigeria's first activity will be the men’s 100m heats at 10:50 am, followed by the women's race at 11:20 am, before the semi-finals in the evening.
Later in the evening, Nigeria will have more action with the men’s and women’s 400m heats, as well as the 800m heats and the mixed 4x400m relay, which will conclude the day at 8:35 pm.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has sent a strong team of 50 athletes to the event, including world 100m hurdles record holder Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume, and Ruth Usoro.
The team also includes current national champions in the men's 100m and 200m, Okon Israel and Consider Ekanem, and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics 100m finalist, Enoch Adegoke.
Sports Development Minister John Enoh has encouraged the athletes to make it count for Nigeria on the track.
“I am urging the entire group to keep pursuing Egypt and stay ahead of the others,” Enoh said.
“I am confident that our athletes will bring their best performance and demonstrate their dominance in athletics,” Enoh added.
