• Tima Godbless, Ella Onojuvwevwo, others arrive as athletes get new kits in Douala

Officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) confirmed yesterday that World Record Holder in the 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan, is responding to treatment. She withdrew from the ongoing 2024 African Senior Athletics Championships in Douala due to illness.

Amusan had arrived in Douala on Thursday morning alongside other members of the Nigerian contingent with no sign of illness. But she fell ill in the night, and Sports Ministry’s medical personnel attached to the AFN team to Douala advised her to take a rest.
 
The President of AFN, Tony Okowa, said yesterday that there is no cause to worry about Amusan’s illness, adding that the athlete is responding to treatment and will be back in training soon ahead the Paris Olympics.
 
Okowa arrived in Douala on Friday evening with loads of new kits for the athletes and officials participating in the Championships. The athletes were full of joy wearing their new kits to compete at the Jakomo Stadium, yesterday.

Meanwhile, contrary to report by an online platform, the duo of Tima Godbless and Ella Onojuvwevwo are in Douala competing in the 23rd African Athletics Championships.

Also, when Asaba, Delta State hosted the 21st edition of the African Senior Athletics championships, the Stephen Keshi Stadium was always filled to capacity, with the people displaying their rich culture on daily basis. That is the attribute of people with great passion for general sports, but not football alone.

The online report had misled Nigerians with a report a few days ago that the duo had been ruled out of the championships.

According to the report, both athletes disappeared after the Nigerian Championships ended Tuesday in Benin City and were unreachable before the team travelled Thursday.

“We couldn’t secure enough seats in one plane, so, we had to arrange for some of our athletes, including Tima Godbless, Ella Onojuvwevwo and Patience Okon George to join us in Douala. That is not to say the two athletes were ruled out of the championship,” Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku told AFN told The Guardian, yesterday, in Douala.

In another development, U.S.-based sprinters, Favour Ofili and Rosemary Chukwuma pulled out of the 100m semifinal event yesterday and they may face AFN sanction

In the men’s semifinal race, yesterday, Kanyinsola Ajayi made it to the final, while Ushoritse Itshekiri placed 4th in his race.