Current world leader in the 100 meters Consider Ekanem, who was also the clear favorite to win the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) trials for the upcoming African Games in Accra, Ghana, failed to reproduce the good form expected of him, by the fans who trooped out in their numbers to watch him and other kid sensations, at the trials, in Asaba, on Saturday.
Ekanem who was left crest fallen, at the trials in Asaba, Delta State, was however not beaten on the tracks, being that he was correctly ejected from the men’s 100 meters final, on technical grounds; having ran foul of the rules governing false starts.
Hundreds of the fans who thronged the Stephen Keshi Memorial Stadium, in Asaba to watch Nigeria’s finest home-based sprinters, burn the tracks, had to turn their attention to other speedsters; and the new sprint king to announce himself on the block, was 17-year-old Israel Okon Sunday.
Israel won the final in 10.20 seconds, ahead of Fakorede Adekalu who was closely second in a time of 10.26 seconds; whilst Enoch Adegoke with a time of 10.30 seconds finish in third spot.
In the women’s 100 meters final, Olayinka Olajide who ran in lane 3, was just to hot to handle. The 21 year old coasted home after breaking away from the pack, and crossed the finishing line at 11.19 seconds, which is also her new Personal Best.
In winning the race, Olayinka brushed aside the challenge of Blessing Ogundiran who came second in a time of 11.50 seconds, ahead of Favour Onyebuchi, who placed third, .16 seconds slower.
The AFN had last week hinted at the possibility of fielding home-based track and field Stars, at the quadrennial Pan African multi-sport Games which holds from March 8th to 23rd in Ghana; should the nation’s elitist athletes in the diaspora, prove to be too difficult to get.
