Minister charges Team Nigeria athletes to use Championship as Olympic dress rehearsal

CAA SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP:
Minister charges Team Nigeria athletes to use Championship as Olympic dress rehearsal

By Maxwell Kumoye

Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, has charged members of Team Nigeria athletes to treat the upcoming African Athletics Championship in Cameroon as a perfect rehearsal for the Olympic Games in Paris.

Senator Enoh made the statement after the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) announcement of a formidable list of 40 athletes that will represent the country at the African Championships in Douala.

In a statement, he stated that the standout names are Tobi Amusan, Favour Ofili, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, and Chidi Okezie among some of Nigeria’s biggest stars heading to the competition.

The Minister emphasised the importance of the championship as a good ground to shape up for the Olympics, highlighting its role in preparing athletes for podium success at the world’s biggest sporting event in Paris.

“The African Athletics Championships should serve as a dress rehearsal for the Olympics,” Senator Enoh stated.

“I charge all our flag bearers to represent the green-white-green flag with pride and aim to bring back the first position trophy at the end of the tournament.”

He also advised the athletes to be cautious about their diet and hydration, noting the significance of this Olympic year and the heightened scrutiny they will face.
“Knowing fully well the remarkable achievements you had in Ghana, I believe you can replicate and even surpass those feats. You have done it at the African Games, and you can do it again.”

Senator Enoh’s call to action is a motivational boost for the athletes as they prepare for the African Championships, with the eyes of the nation and the world upon them.

Reports have it that the dedication and hard work of these athletes continue to inspire hope and pride among Nigerians.

The team touched down in Douala on Thursday for the championship which begins today.