Sunday, July 12, 2026

World Athletics Championships: AFN seeks support for athletes

Top athletes, including World 100m hurdles champion Tobi Amusan and men’s 100m champion Sunday Okon, are expected to compete in Ghana.

• August 9, 2025
Nigerian athletes
Nigerian athletes [Credit: Athletics Federation of Nigeria]

In a proactive move to secure qualifications for the Tokyo World Athletics Championships in September, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria is seeking financial support for Team Nigeria’s participation.

The qualification for the championships will be determined at the Region II Senior Championships in Ghana.

AFN president, Tonobok Okowa, emphasised the federation’s unwavering efforts to secure the funding needed for top athletes to compete in the Region II Senior Championships.

According to Mr Okowa, the event is crucial as it serves as a qualifying round for the Tokyo World Athletics Championships.

Mr Okowa thanked the National Sports Commission and various sponsors for their continuous financial support towards developing athletics in Nigeria.

He called for additional assistance to boost the athletes’ preparation before travelling to Ghana for the forthcoming championships.

“Our objective is clear — to inspire our athletes to achieve podium finishes in Tokyo, thereby boosting the nation’s reputation on the global stage,” Mr Okowa said.

He added that all athletes need encouragement to maintain their excellence in international competitions ahead of the world championships.

The CAA Region II Senior Championships, earlier scheduled for August 13-17, has been rescheduled for August 19-20 in Ghana.

The AFN remains committed to developing athletics in Nigeria and believes that with the right support, Team Nigeria will excel on the world stage.

Top athletes, including World 100m hurdles champion Tobi Amusan and men’s 100m champion Sunday Okon, are expected to compete in Ghana.

Both athletes have expressed optimism about their chances and the relay teams’ potential to succeed in their qualifying bids.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Rashidi Ladoja

States

Olubadan lauds Tinubu on release of Oriire kidnap victims, urges rehabilitation

“As a follow-up to this development, the government must ensure that all communities bordering the National Park are fully secure,” he said.

Mojtaba Khamenei

Heading 1

Iran’s new supreme leader vows revenge over father’s assassination by U.S.-Israeli forces

“We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers,” he said.

Heading 4

Trump administration subpoenas New York Times journalists over Air Force One story

The subpoenas seek to compel the reporters to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan.

Heading 2

Klopp agrees to replace Nagelsmann as Germany coach

Nagelsmann resigned last week as the men’s national team coach following Germany’s shocking exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

NICRAT

Health

FG expands cancer funding, local drug production

“We are trying to domesticate expensive treatments by producing much-needed medicines locally and translating global research into action in our clinics,” he said.

Davido, Asake and Burna Boy

Heading 3

Remi Tinubu begs Asake, Davido, Burna Boy to come rescue poor Nigerians from hunger

The first lady stated that buying exotic cars is good, but noted that the singers can still establish foundations to assist the struggling population.