The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) says it will not rely solely on Olympic and World Championships medalist Blessing Okagbare for medals at the 12th All African Games in Rabat, Morocco later in the year.
According to the Technical Director of AFN, Sunday Adeleye, unlike in the past when Team Nigeria’s medal hopes were dependent on Okagbare’s performance, the Games in Morocco will be different.
Sunday Adeleye said, “We are working very hard to avoid past mistakes when our medals hope were on one particular athlete,” Adeleye said. “In Morocco, our athletics team will have various options. Now, we can boast young athletes who are capable of winning medals for us at major championships. These are Divine Oduduru to Oluwatobiloba Amusan, Ese Brume and Enoch Olaoluwa Adegoke. I am not saying we will push Okagbare aside, but we need to prepare other athletes for the challenges ahead so that she can have some respite.”
Okagbare is an Olympic and World Championships medalist and also holds the women’s 100 metres Commonwealth Games record for the fastest time at 10.85 seconds.
The All Africa Games will hold from August 19 to 31, and will mark the first time Morocco is hosting the tournament.