Paris Olympics selection headache for Nigeria as Itshekiri, Ajayi secure 100m qualifications
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s no trial, no selection policy will be put to test especially in the men’s 100m event where as many five athletes have made the qualification standard for the event either through the 10.00 seconds entry standard or ranking points.
Godson Oghenebrume and Favour Ashe qualified via the entry standard but did not participate in the Nigerian Championships used as trials for the Paris Olympics in Benin city while Kanyisola Ajayi and Ushoritse Itshekiri are through via their ranking points.
If the AFN sticks to its no trial, no selection rule, both Oghenebrume and Ashe will be out of the 100m event which gives Seye Ogunlewe who came fourth at the trials the opportunity to become the third Nigerian for the event via his ranking points.
What has strengthened the argument for Ogunlewe, son of a former Minister for Works in Nigeria is the fact that Alaba Akintola who came second in the 100m final at the Nigerian trials is miles off qualification for the Games in Paris.
Strictly based on the results at the Nigerian trials, and in line with AFN’s policy of no trial, no selection, it is the trio of Ajayi, Itshekiri and Ogunlewe that should be competing for Nigeria at the Olympics in the men’s 100m event.
If the AFN lives up to its promise, this is capable of ensuring athletes see as mandatory participation in what is the flagship of the federation’s competitions and one that can be used to marker the federation.
In the 1990s up to 2007 and before politicians took over the leadership of the AFN, that policy was sacrosanct.
