The Chief Executive Officer of the Elite Athletes Development and Performance Board, Yussuf Amuda Alli, has shed light on the reasons behind sending a lean team to the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships.
Speaking recently, Alli emphasized that the era of sending large teams to major championships without tangible benefits is over.
The Performance Board, under the National Sports Commission (NSC), has been tasked with ensuring that athletes sent to major championships have the potential to deliver meaningful results.
Alli explained that the Board is focusing on athletes who can benefit Team Nigeria in the short or long term.
The short term benefits is with Athletes who have a strong chance of reaching the finals of their events, where anything can happen, and potentially winning medals.
And that of the long-term benefits is young athletes with immense potential who need exposure to big-time competitions to hone their skills and gain experience.
Alli shared his personal experience of competing in the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, where he gained valuable exposure and eventually became a world champion in 1983.
Team Nigeria’s contingent to Tokyo 2025 include: Tobi Amusan (100m hurdles) – world record holder and impressive form this season. Chukwuebuka Enekwechi (shot put) – strong chance of making the final and contending for a medal.
Ezekiel Nathaniel(400m hurdles) – sensation with potential to shine.
Ese Brume (long jump) – African record holder with a personal best of 7.17m, could make the podium if she rediscovers her form.
Other athletes listed include: Samuel Ogazi (400m), Kayinsola Ajayi (100m), Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons (discus), Prestina Ochonogor (long jump), Obiageri Amaechi (discus), Charles Godfred* (long jump). Rosemary Chukwuma (100m), Oyesade Olatoye (hammer), Israel S. Okon (100m) and Chidi Okezie (400m)
The World Athletics Championships will take place in Tokyo, Japan, from September 13 to 21, 2025.
