Okowa hails Tinubu for World Championships tickets

Athletics Federation of Nigeria president Tonobok Okowa has praised President Bola Tinubu for supporting Nigeria’s successful outing at the World Relays in Gaborone, where the country secured multiple qualification tickets for the 2027 World Athletics Championships, The PUNCH reports.

Team Nigeria concluded their campaign in Gaborone with four qualification slots for the Beijing event, adding to an earlier African record performance in the mixed 4x100m relay on the opening day.

Reflecting on the campaign in an interview with The PUNCH, Okowa credited the Federal Government and the National Sports Commission for ensuring timely preparations, noting that financial support played a key role in the team’s performance.

“I give thanks to President Bola Tinubu, the NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and the Director General Bukola Olopade for making it possible for us to travel in good time,” he said.

Okowa singled out President Tinubu for specific commendation, attributing the team’s successful qualification to the availability of funds for the trip.

“Specifically, I thank President Tinubu for making funds available for us to travel, and we have come out well,” he added.

He further explained that the team spent about two weeks preparing in Botswana ahead of the competition, a period he believes contributed significantly to the results achieved, including qualification across all relay events.

“We went to Gaborone, Botswana, to try to secure more qualifications,” he said.

“We spent about two weeks there and were able to achieve good results, which led to all six relay teams qualifying.”

“We then returned here, and we were brought again in good time and properly accommodated.”

The team also earned a place at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship scheduled to take place in Budapest later this year.

The mixed 4x400m quartet of Samson Nathaniel, Mary Kudoro, Chidi Okezie and Patience Okon-George delivered a season’s best of 3:12.88 to finish second behind South Africa and secure qualification, while the women’s 4x100m team of Rosemary Nwankwo, Obi Chukwuka, Maria Thompson-Omokwe and Miracle Ezechukwu bounced back from earlier baton errors to claim a ticket with a season’s best of 42.94 seconds.

Nigeria, however, fell short in other events, with the men’s 4x100m and men’s 4x400m teams narrowly missing out on qualification, while the women’s 4x400m team did not compete in the repechage.

Okowa also highlighted the contribution of home-based athletes, including several still in secondary school, as a positive indicator for the future of Nigerian athletics.

“The athletes, especially those home based, did very well,” Okowa said.

“Among them are girls who are still in secondary school, they played a significant role in this, and it shows clearly that the future of athletics in Nigeria will be bright.”

Okowa concluded by commending both athletes and coaches for their efforts, emphasising the collective commitment that led to Nigeria’s achievements in Gaborone.

He said, “I want to thank all the athletes and coaches who worked seriously to ensure that we are celebrating today.”