February 14, (THEWILL) – The president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, has revealed that the country will focus on preparing home-based athletes for the upcoming 2023 African Games in Ghana, amid uncertainty over the participation of Nigeria’s overseas-based stars.
The 13th edition of the African Games will take place from March 8 – 23 across three cities in Ghana-Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast. According to Nigeria’s Ministry of Sports Development, team camps will open on February 15 ahead of the competition.
However, the AFN remains unsure if athletes based abroad like Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume and Favour Ofili will be available due to the indoor season currently underway. Amusan and Ofili have enjoyed stellar starts to 2023, with Amusan twice breaking the African 100m hurdles record and Ofili setting a new African 300m indoor record.
Okowa stated that if most foreign-based athletes are unable to attend, home-based stars will be relied upon to participate and achieve results. He revealed the AFN’s technical department is working intensely in preparation and some domestic athletes will enter camp shortly.
There is hope that the sports ministry may provide grants to enable overseas-based athletes to fly directly to Ghana if required. But for now, Nigeria’s focus is on its home-based talent leading the charge at the 2023 African Games.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
