The Sports Complex of the Federal University of Technology, Akure is expected to be a beehive of activities as the grand finale of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Golden League takes place on Monday, June 6, at the Ondo State capital.
The 2016 Golden League comprised of four meetings, with the first leg kicking off in Abuja last month, while Sapele in Delta State, and Sagamu in Ogun State, hosted the second and third legs of the meeting.
Nigerian Track and Field athletes are expected to cap the Golden League with impressive performances, especially as the federation is expected to name its team to the forthcoming African Senior Athletics Championships after the meeting.
Athletes will compete in a straight final when action takes off by 3pm on Monday, and only qualifiers in their respective events will compete in Akure as shown in the start-lists.
The Golden League events to be competed in include the men and women’s 100m, 400m, 800m, 400m Hurdles (women), Discus (men), Long Jump (women), 5000m (women), Javelin (women), and 110m Hurdles.
The Promotional events include the men and women’s 200m, 4x100m relays, 100m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles (men) Long Jump (men), Javelin (men), High Jump (women), and Shot put (women).
In the previous legs of the AFN Golden League, the Top 6 athletes were awarded points based on their position, with the winner amassing 10 points, while 6th position gets 1 point. 2nd to 5th positions were awarded eight, six, four and two points respectively.
However double points will be awarded in Akure in every event, and the athlete with the overall points takes the victory. Prize monies will also be given to the Top 3 athletes.
Ogho-Oghene Egwero tops the standings in the men’s 100m with a total of 28 points, with Divine Oduduru following with 16 points. Both Obinna Metu and Emmanuel Arowolo have amassed eight points each.
In the women’s event, Agnes Osazuwa tops the standings with 24 points, and is followed by Justina Sule (16 points) and Mercy Ntiabong (14 points).
Yinka Ajayi takes the lead in the women’s 400m with a total of 22 points, while Patience Okon-George and Funke Ogunbase are 2nd and 3rd respectively with 20 points and 16 points, while new comer Omolara Omotosho is 4th with 10 points.
Isah Salihu is favoured to win the highest number of points in the men’s 400m as he is on top of the rankings with 24 points. Henry Okorie is 2nd with 14 points, while Orukpe Erayokan and Sunday Fatoyinbo are 3rd and 4th respectively with 10 points.
Ese Brume is still in pursuit of the Rio Olympics qualifying mark, and will be hoping to go above 6.70m in Akure. In the meantime she has amassed the highest overall points in the women’s Long Jump with her tally of 20 points. Abire Mercy is 2nd with 14 points, while Ruth Usoro is 3rd with nine points.
Olawale Olatunji has a total of 10 points which puts him in 1st position in the men’s Discus event. He is followed by Ibrahim Baba (eight points) and Lukmon Oguntade (six points).
Here is the official programme for Monday’s event.
