Nigeria: Nku, Ojokolo in Calabar for All Nigeria Track and Field Open

Daily Independent (Lagos)

21 June 2011

Two former Nigerian sprints queen,Mercy Nku and Endurance Ojokolo arrived in Calabar on Tuesday to add colour and elegance to the All Nigeria/Cross River State Athletics Championships which will hold at the U.J Esuene stadium on Thursday.

Both sprint stars won over 10 gold medals at the championships and will be joining a host of other accomplishe former Nigerian internationals like Mary Onyali-Omagbemi, Falilat Ogunkoya-Omotayo,Sunday Uti and Olusoji Fasuba,the reigning African 100m record holder at 9.85.

“I am in Calabar to offer support to His Excellency,the executive governor of Cross River state who has done so much to promote sports in the state. I am a Cross Riverian and I can boldly say that no governor has dome what my governor, Liyel Imoke has done for sport,” Nku,who won the 100m gold in 2002 and the 200m gold thrice (1999,2005,2006) said on arrival in Calabar.

Ojokolo,one of only two women in recent championship history to win the 100m gold three consecutive times is thrilled to witness the championships again,although not as an athlete.

“I am just excited that the championships is here again.This is where dreams are actualised.I vividly remeber what happened in 1997 when I came in as an underdog and won the 100m gold.That was the beginning of my success story in track and field,this is where I was made,” she revealed.

She believes the battle for the 100m gold in this championship is between defending champion,Blessing Okagbare and All Africa Games queen,Oludamola Osayomi.

“It is going to be a tight race and I won’t be surprised if the winner is determed by the narrowest of margins.Damola seems to be the form girl coming here but Blessing has proved she has the big ocassion temperament.It will be one hell of a race,” she predicted.

Nku agreed and like Ojokolo would not be drawn into predicting who will win the race.

“It will be too close to call.What I can say is that those who miss the race will be the loser,it is like rewinding the tape to our era when the atmosphere is usually turbo-charged.I also remenber the era of Onyali and the Iheagwans (Kate and Tina).I am happy we are coming back to that era and we need to thank the AFN leadership and the Cross River state government for ensuring that dream is kept well alive,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Athletic Federation of Nigeria led by its president,chief Solomon Ogba has relocated to Calabar,the Cross River state capital for the 65th All Nigeria/Cross River state Athletics Championships which starts on Thursday.

Also in Calabar for the event are the secretary general of the federation,Mrs Maria Worphil with her entire secretariat staff,the technical and performance director,Sunday Bada as well as a number of board members.

“This is the flagship of our event and it requires the presence of all our key staff.This is our World Championships where the best of Nigerian athletics will be showcased in terms of performance and administration,” she said.

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