Followers of Nigeria athletics can expect an explosive race as hurdling legend Tobi Amusan and rising prospect Favour Ofili are scheduled to battle it out in a women’s 100meter contest at the Tom Jones Invitational on April 13th.
The duo will race against each other for the first time in sprints, with Amusan opting from competing in her trademark 100m Hurdles event to know her flat speed, ahead of a stacked showdown at the Xiamen Diamond League on April 20th.
Ofili is currently in her best career form, having clocked the 300meter African Record (AR) and then blazed to the world’s fastest all-conditions 100meter time this season at 10.85s.
Despite this, she won’t have it easy against Amusan, who has also greatly improved this year, which was evident in the indoor season where she broke the 60m Hurdle African Record twice and effortlessly anchored Nigeria’s 4x100m relay team to the gold medal at the African Games in Ghana.
However, both speedsters will be aware of a quality field of world-renowned sprinters in the line up.
Top on the list is world championships finalist Tamari Davis and her compatriot Melissa Jefferson who’s a former US champion, Jamaican duo of Alana Reid and Kemba Nelson, returning Abby Steiner amongst others.
Tag: Athletes
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Nigeria’s elite talents like world record holder over women’s 100mH Tobi Amusan and long jumper Ese Brume could be set to cash in on a landmark decision by World Athletics to reward champions at 2024 Olympic Games.
The athletics governing body’s decision breaks a 128-year Olympic tradition by becoming the first sport to offer prize money to gold medallists.
According to World Athletics president Lord Coe on Wednesday, each athlete who wins an individual track and field event in Paris will receive $50,000 (£39,400) which is about N62m.
Silver and bronze medallists will not be financially rewarded this summer, but they will be at the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
Since the modern Games were founded as an amateur event in 1896, athletes have never received prize money from a sport’s governing body.
Coe, though, insists World Athletics’ radical move does not go against the spirit of the Olympics.
‘I don’t believe this is at variance with any deeply held philosophical commitment to the Olympic movement,’ said the 67-year-old, who won 1500metres gold for Great Britain in 1980 and 1984.
‘I think this fits very much with a contemporary template that we should do everything we can to recognise the performance and the primacy of athletes.
‘The world has changed. It is a completely different planet from when I was competing, so it’s really important that where possible we create a sport that is financially viable for our competitors. This is the beginning of that.
‘If I thought athletes were only competing because there was a financial pot at the end of the day, then I might take a very different view – but they are not.’
The $50,000 offer is for all 48 athletics events in Paris.
In relay races, the money will be shared between the winning team members.
Athletes will only be paid once they have cleared the usual anti-doping procedures.
The total $2.4m (£1.9m) prize pot will come from World Athletics’ share of the IOC’s broadcast revenue, which they are entitled to spend how they choose.
An IOC spokesperson said: ‘The IOC redistributes 90 per cent of all its income, in particular to the National Olympic Committees and International Federations.
‘This means that, every day, the equivalent of $4.2m goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world. It is up to each IF and NOC to determine how to best serve their athletes and the global development of their sport.’
While World Athletics will be the first sport’s body to directly offer prize money at a Games, around 60 per cent of countries already reward their medallists, including the USA, who paid their champions £29,500 at Tokyo 2020.
Many athletes also receive bonuses from sponsors if they win medals.
World Athletics’ move follows Britain’s world indoor and outdoor champion Josh Kerr who slammed the prize money on offer at major events as ‘crazy.’
It also comes after USA legend Michael Johnson announced plans to launch a big-money breakaway track league next year.
But while Coe has promised to increase the prize pot further for LA28, he insists this is not a response to Johnson’s series or the Enhanced Games, which is offering major financial rewards for athletes to take drugs to try and break world records.
‘As we grow the sport in the next few years, I want the athletes to benefit even more from that,’ said Coe.
‘You can assume that we will do what we possibly can to increase that price pot.’
Coe also says he would like to see the Paralympians rewarded in the future, although his governing body is not responsible for para athletics. -
Reigning 100m hurdles world record holder, Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan of Nigeria will begin defence of her Wanda Diamond League crown in Xiamen, China on April 20.
The 26-year-old will face Olympic champion, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, world champion, Danielle Williams and world indoor champion Devynne Charlton in the race.
Amusan won the Wanda Diamond League crown for the third consecutive year last year.
The Ogun-State born athlete will also be aiming to win it for the fourth successive time after she became the second woman in Diamond League history to achieve a hat-trick of 100m hurdles titles in 2023.
She holds the world record in the event with a time of 12.12seconds. -
Accolades are coming thick and fast in the direction of Team Nigeria athletes for their outstanding performances at the ongoing African Games in Accra, Ghana.
Leading the commendation for the team is the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh who lauded the athletes for their achievements, emphasizing the pride they bring to the nation.
On Day 3 of athletics, Nigeria ran the show securing additional four gold medals in record breaking feat.
“I salute our gallant sportsmen and women who have performed exceptionally well in Accra thus far,” said Enoh.
“Okezie broke the 37-year jinx in the 400m, our sprinters excelled in the finals, and our boxers demonstrated our strength and vigour. These moments are priceless to us as a nation.”
The talk of the town was Nigeria’s triumph in the men and women’s 4 x 100m relays.
The men’s team notably avenged a loss to Ghana 21 years ago, emerging victorious with a time of 38.41 seconds.
The women’s team secured gold with a time of 43.05 seconds, leaving Liberia and Ghana to claim silver and bronze, respectively.
Chidi Okezie’s historic win in the men’s 400m marked a significant milestone for Nigeria athletics.
He became the first Nigerian man to clinch the title since Innocent Egbunike in 1987, breaking a 37-year jinx.
Additionally, world record holder Tobi Amusan dominated the women’s 100m hurdles, reaffirming her status as a premier athlete.
In boxing, Team Nigeria displayed exceptional prowess, winning all five semifinal bouts. Zainab Adeshina, Joy Ojo, Mbata Patricia, Omole Dolapo, and Olaore Adams emerged victorious, advancing to the final of their respective events.
Senator Enoh expressed pride in the athletes’ performances and urged them to maintain maximum concentration in the remaining events.
“Our athletes have showcased remarkable talent and resilience at the African Games. Their achievements exemplify the spirit of excellence that defines Nigerian sports. I applaud their dedication and urge them to remain focused as they strive for further success,” Enoh concluded. -
The 54 Nigerian Track and Field contingent is expected to make a significant impact as the 13th African Games enter a new week in Ghana.
Leading the charge for Nigeria in the athletics event which starts on Monday 18 March 2024 is none other than Tobiloba Amusan, the world record holder over 100m hurdles event.
Amusan’s unrivaled dominance on the continent is set to be extended as she seeks to further solidify her legacy in Africa athletics.
Another standout athlete, Ese Brume, will be aiming to reclaim her title as the ruler of African long jump.
Joining the duo are other esteemed athletes including Ruth Usoro and Favour Ofili to form a formidable lineup that promises to dazzle spectators and rivals alike.
Other equally highly talented athletes also make up the Nigerian list.
On the men’s side, Enoch Adegoke, Seye Ogunlewe, Alaba Akintola, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Samson Nathaniel, and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi are among the top contenders ready to showcase their prowess on the track and field.
Adding to some motivational excitement, the Minister for Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, is in Ghana to support and cheer on the Nigerian contingent.
Senator Enoh expressed his confidence in the team’s ability to make Nigeria proud, urging them to maintain their pursuit of excellence and dominance, particularly over rivals like Egypt.
“I am charging the entire contingent to keep the chase on Egypt, and steer clear of the others behind them,” Senator Enoh stated.
“I am sure in athletics, our athletes will bring their A-game and show their dominance.”
In addition to supporting the athletics team, Senator Enoh is present in Ghana to support and cheer other athletes competing in different events.
His support underscores the nation’s commitment to sports development and excellence on the continental stage.
Nigeria is currently behind Egypt in the medals table.
Hopes for more medals are on the horizon as the Games hit another height this week. -
Nigeria sports authorities are not leaving any stones unturned in the lead up to the country’s participation in the 2023 African Games in Ghana next month.
To this end the Minister of Sports Development Senator John Enoh has charged officials and vendors serving Team Nigeria to ensure quality in athletes’ nutrition and welfare, as training camps open from today across five locations in the country.
He appealed to vendors not to undermine national efforts by attempting to put pecuniary gains ahead of national interests.
Senator Enoh warned that the Ministry will spare no time in cutting ties with vendors who do not adhere to quality in their service to the athletes, as they prepare for the Games, that will hold in Accra, Ghana, from March 8 – 23, 2024.
“I am appealing to you all not to sabotage the preparedness of our athletes because of profit-making. I will make unannounced visits to the camp to personally see the standards in each camp,” he said. “I know some vendors already have a relationship with the Ministry. If we find out anyone cut corners in their job, it might lead to blacklisting such a person from our future engagements.”
“I therefore appeal to everyone – I called this meeting because we don’t want complaints from camps about the quality of food and nutrition, or welfare of athletes. Just like the AFCON that ended without issues and complaints, let’s make the next few weeks of camping go seamless,” the Minister charged.
He mentioned that a win for the nation represents a win for all vendors and officials, thus the need for all hands to be on deck towards achieving success.
Team Nigeria’s campsites are located in
Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Bayelsa and Gombe.
Nigeria will participate in 25 sports, with 8 of them serving as Olympic qualifiers.
Since the inception of the Games, Nigeria has won a total of 1326 medals in 12 editions, which makes her the second most-successful nation in the Games’ history behind Egypt. -
Nigeria’s track and field superstar Tobi Amusan’s extraordinary accomplishment in setting a new African women’s indoor record over 60-meter hurdles has continued to receive high level commendation.
Amusan clocked an impressive 7.77secs at the Astana Indoor Meet in Kazakhstan to also etch her name in history by erasing the longstanding record of 7.82 seconds set by Glory Alozie in 1999.
Congratulating the hurdler on the extraordinary feat, Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh stated, “Tobi Amusan has demonstrated the epitome of true athleticism, and we are immensely proud of her. Her dedication and commitment to her craft are an inspiration to aspiring athletes across the continent. Tobi’s achievement is not only a personal triumph but a historic moment for Nigerian and African sports.”
The Minister highlighted the significance of Amusan’s achievement in the context of Nigerian and African sports.
“Tobi’s success is a testament to her hard work, and the talent that exists within our nation. Her accomplishment resonates not only in Nigeria but throughout Africa, reinforcing our position on the global sports stage,” he added.
Mr Enoh rounded off by expressing confidence in Amusan’s future successes.
“This is just the beginning for Tobi. I have no doubt that she will continue to achieve great milestones in her career, and we eagerly anticipate her future endeavors,” he remarked. -
The Honourable minister of sports development Mr John Enoh has congratulated Nigeria’s 100meters hurdler Tobi Amusan and long jumper Ese Brume on their performances at yesterday’s World Athletics Diamond League in Eugene, Oregon, United States of America.
Amusan clocked 12.33secs to win gold which clinched her a 3rd successive Diamond League title while Brume came close to winning her first crown in the competition after leaping 6.85m which narrowly missed the gold medal mark achieved by Ivana Vuketa.
Reflecting on Amusan’s feat, Senator Enoh Enoh stated that the victory was a beautiful way for her to wind down an athletic season that brought joy, tears and goosebumps.
On Brume’s part, the minister urged her put behind the disappointment of missing out on the title and focus on the bigger picture as the country draws closer to participation in the 2024 Olympic Games in France. -
Enoh, who was appointed sports minister a few days before the commencement of the Championship in Budapest, said that he needed to be physically present to welcome the athletes, to signal his commitment towards increased attention for athletics.
Reacting to the plea of the team, the Minister assured the contingent of adequate funding under his leadership as the sports minister. He noted that long term preparation and planning is needed for the team to succeed at tourneys and no stone will be left unturned to that effect.
The championship was held between August 19th – 27th, 2023 in the Hungarian capital city.