Nigeria: Golden League Final – Gbagbeke, Akwu, Others in Town

13 June 2011

Four United States of America-based Nigerian athletes are expected in Lagos today en-route Warri for the grand finale of the 2011 Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Golden League scheduled for the Warri Stadium on Wednesday, June 15.

The athletes include Noah Akwu, Stanley Gbagbeke, Omotayo Talabi and Naomi Osazuwa were confirmed by the AFN President, Chief Solomon Ogba to arrive the country to participate in the final leg of the League of which N2m jackpot prize is at stake.

“The athletes confirmed to me over the weekend here that they will be coming to Nigeria to compete in the finals of the Golden League. Any of them that makes the standard for our National Trials in Calabar will be accepted to compete,” observed the athletics chief.

Interestingly, while the foreign-based athletes are hoping to use the Golden League finals to test the challenge from the home front, all the four athletes in the race for the jackpot prize renewed their efforts to have their share of the money at stake.

Baba Ibrahim (Hammer), Shola Anota (Long Jump), Justin Agu (800m) and the NSCDC 4x100m team are the top runners for the N2m.

Meanwhile, reigning national 100m queen, Blessing Okagbare’s no show in the 100m event at the addidas Grand Prix IAAF Diamond League meeting in New York at the weekend prevented what would have been the first clash between her and Damola Osayomi,the lady she succeeded as Nigeria’s champion in 2009.

Many local athletics buffs have labelled their impending clash at the Calabar 2011 IAAF World Championships and All African Games Trials later this month at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar as the ‘mother of all battles’ following the incredible 10.99 seconds 100m run by Osayomi last month in Brazil.

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