Okowa aims for success at 2027 World Championships

Athletics Federation of Nigeria President Tonobok Okowa is looking forward to a better performance at the 2027 World Athletics Championships in China. This comes after Nigeria had a good showing at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

Even with the challenges before the event, Nigeria's team made it to the finals in four out of five events. Tobi Amusan, a former world record holder, won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles. Kanyinsola Ajayi just missed a medal in the men’s 100m.

Okowa believes these performances show the potential of Nigeria’s young athletes. They provide a solid base for the federation to prepare for the 2027 World Championships. "The team to Budapest is a young one. The World Championship in China next year is the AFN’s big focus. We will continue to work with these athletes, identify areas that need improvement and prepare them properly for the World Championships," Okowa said.

The AFN president expressed pride in how the athletes performed, especially given the issues they faced, like visa challenges that nearly kept Nigeria from competing. "I am very proud of the athletes and the way they represented Nigeria in Budapest. They showed courage, determination and the right competitive spirit despite the circumstances surrounding the team’s participation."

He added, "This is a young team and the fact that we made it to the final in four of the five events we competed in is very encouraging. Tobi Amusan’s second-place finish and Kanyinsola Ajayi’s near-podium performance in the 100m show that we have athletes capable of competing at the highest level."

Okowa also mentioned that Samuel Ogazi, one of Nigeria’s top young athletes and the fastest in the one-lap race this year, could not compete in Budapest because of a toe injury.

The AFN president feels Ogazi’s absence, along with the performances of those who participated, gives more hope as they prepare for next year’s global event. He said the AFN will learn from the Budapest experience to find areas that need improvement and ensure Nigeria's athletes are better ready for the 2027 World Championships.