..It’s a triumph driven by belief, backroom Strength
“The outing of the youthful Team Nigeria dominated by home base athletes was a huge, huge success story by every indication and benchmark.”
This is the verdict of the 2nd Vice President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Akuchukwu Aghazu, in a chat with AFN Media Hub shortly after landing in Nigeria from Gaborone, Botswana.
She said, “Team Nigeria’s impressive performance at the World Relays Championships in Gaborone is credited not only to the athletes on the track but also to the strong administrative and motivational support behind the scenes.”
One of the key figures in Nigeria’s successful outing, Akuchukwu Aghazu, the 2nd Vice President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, played a major role in motivating and supporting the athletes, especially the female athletes throughout the championship.
Aghazu, popularly known as Aku, stood firmly behind the team as Nigeria battled against some of the world’s best relay nations to secure qualification tickets and reaffirm the country’s status as a global athletics powerhouse.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Aghazu expressed strong confidence in the ability of Nigeria’s locally-developed athletes to continue making the nation proud on the international stage.
“I believe the home-grown talents have what it takes to engrave Nigeria’s name in gold,” she stated.
“Yes we need the overseas based athletes but what we have at home are equally good enough to compete with the elite in any part of the world.”
She explained that right support for the athletes will transform the athletics domestic scene for good. “Athletes don’t run sub 10s in the gym or classroom but on the track when they race against each other on a regular basis.”
Aku went on to state that, “Nigeria’s success story in Botswana once again highlighted the depth of talent within the country’s athletics system, as the athletes delivered strong performances under intense competition.”
Aghazu also reserved special praise for the National Sports Commission for its comprehensive backing and commitment to the athletics programme.
“The NSC has been pulling the right strings and backing us. I commend them for their support,” she added.
“Team Nigeria’s performance in Gaborone has further raised hopes ahead of upcoming global championships, with officials and stakeholders optimistic that the country’s blend of emerging talents and experienced stars can deliver more podium finishes for the nation.” She added.
Aghazu also called on state governments across Nigeria to rally round athletics by creating more competitive platforms for athletes at the grassroots level.
“If at least each state of the Federation stages a big meet each year, the home-based athletes will have enough opportunities to improve on their timings and jumps, including throws,” she said.
According to her, such an initiative would not place an unbearable burden on the states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“This will not be too difficult for each of the 36 states and the FCT to achieve,” she explained.
She further stressed that the private sector remains willing to support sports development if properly engaged.
“The corporate bodies are willing to put their hands on the plough into sports and fund it well,” Aghazu emphasized.
It’s noteworthy to mention that Team Nigeria secured three tickets to the 2027 World Athletics Championship in Bejing, China and one slot to the maiden edition of the World Ultimate Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary in September.
