Daily Independent Online.
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Monday, July 05, 2004.
Athletes in German camp return for Olympic trials
By Uzor Odigbo
Correspondent, Lagos
Nigerian athletes
on training tour of Germany are expected to arrive today for the Olympic trials
that would officially stamp their legitimacy to represent the country at the
2004 Athens Olympic Games.
The athletes were directed last Wednesday to travel
along with all their luggage as failure to comply would not attract any ticket
for those who did not qualify at the trials to return to Germany for their
luggage.
The directive
however caused mild drama as athletes who were not sure of their qualification
made moves for their passports
which the camp commandant turned down.
President of the
Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Dan Ngerem has said that the federation
would not entertain complaints from any quarter after the trials have been
concluded, advising athletes to strive to compete fairly for the Olympic
ticket.
In another
development, Nkoyo Ibori National Games which ended last week has prepared
athletes for the ultimate Olympic trials scheduled for this weekend at the
Abuja Stadium.
Athletes who took
part in the 3-day athletic and paralympic trials in Calabar attested that the
games had greatly enhanced their readiness for Mobil trials. They also added
that the games came at such time the U-20 athletes did not have competition to
prepare them for the Olympic trials, and expressed their gratitude to the
sponsor, the Delta State first Lady Mrs. Nkoyo Ibori for sponsoring the games.
A female athlete
Seyi Omojuwa who won gold in the 100m event wondered how she could have made it
to Abuja for the trials if not for the prize money she won at the games.
I’m grateful that I have the money
to travel to Abuja for the trials, before I was thinking how I would do it.
I can say I am in a
better position to do well at the Mobil trials, I may not go to the Olympics,
but I may be selected for any of the world junior competitions next year if I
do well.
