Nigeria set to end Kenya's domination in Athletics

Africa’s best athletes will be on parade in Port Novo, Benin Republic from Wednesday as the 18^th Africa Senior Athletics Championships get underway with Team Nigeria set to end Kenya’s domination the sport on the continent.

Team Nigeria was beaten to second place in the last edition of the competition where they won eight medals. Both countries were tied on five gold medals each until the final day when the Kenyan long distance runners spoilt the show for Nigeria. Head Coach, Innocent Egbunike has assured Nigerians of a good outing.

“The team we selected from our Olympic Trials in Calabar at the weekend is going to Port Novo to do Nigeria proud. Our athletes as still fresh from competition mood and are ready to take on the rest of Africa,” said Egbunike, who is no stranger to the African meet having competed and won laurels there as an athlete.

“The team we selected from our Olympic Trials in Calabar at the weekend will do Nigeria proud. Our athletes are still in competition mood and are ready to take on the rest of Africa,” said Egbunike, who is no stranger to the African meet having competed and won laurels there as an athlete.

The Los Angeles ’84 4x400 metres bronze medalist stressed that this African Championships is going to be used to gauge Nigeria’s preparations for the 2012 London Olympic Games starting in barely a month from today.

“We, (the coaches and the federation secretariat) have done our part in preparing the athletes adequately. We are now asking all Nigerians to continue to pray for our successes because sports remain the biggest unifying factor in the country. Nobody remembers where you come from if the team is doing well. We are all always very proud of Nigeria,” stressed the track coach.