AFN Drafts Sprint Sensation Miracle Ezechukwu for World Relays Qualification
Nigeria’s rising sprint star Miracle Ezechukwu has been drafted into the women’s 4x100m relay team currently in Botswana seeking qualification for the World Athletics Relays in May.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) confirmed that Ezechukwu, the country’s fastest woman over 100m (11.26s) and 200m (22.91s), will join the women’s 4x100m squad alongside two other athletes after the federation’s request was approved by the National Sports Commission (NSC), led by Malam Shehu Dikko.
The Nigerian women’s 4x100m team is yet to qualify for the global event, and Ezechukwu’s inclusion is expected to boost their chances after clocking 44.27s at the Islamic Games in Riyadh last November which places the team 37th in the qualification rankings with only the top 24 to go through.
To secure a spot, the team must run faster than the 43.86s and 43.88s recorded by India and Thailand respectively, who currently occupy the final 23rd and 24th qualifying positions ahead of the April 5 deadline.
Nigeria’s men’s 4x100m, women’s 4x100m, and mixed 4x400m teams all missed out at the Lefika International Relays last week but have stayed in the South African nation and will compete this weekend at Botswana’s National Trials, which also serves as a qualifying event for the World Relays.
The Nigerian rescue team, as it were, will be led by AFN second vice president Aku Aghazu and are reportedly scheduled to fly out to Botswana on Tuesday.
AFN president Tonobok Okowa expressed delight at the NSC’s swift approval of the request, praising the commission’s commitment to athlete development.
‘The best days for athletics are still ahead. We have people at the NSC who don’t just talk but put words into action. I urge the athletes to put in their best during this period because those interested in your growth are now at the NSC,’ Okowa said after the Lefika Relays.
With Ezechukwu’s addition, Nigeria is optimistic about punching their ticket in the glamorous women’s 4x100m event.
