Edo State is set to host the 2024 Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) National Trials, which will be used to select track and field stars that will fly the nation’s flag both at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Douala, Cameroun and the Paris Olympics Games.

While Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City is preparing to host the best of Nigerian athletes in June, the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba will host the 8th National Youth Games in September.

The Chairman, Edo Sports Commission, Olympian Yusuf Alli, revealed to The Guardian that the state government has agreed to host the AFN National Trials this year, after hosting it in 2022 and 2023.

“Governor Godwin Obaseki has so much passion for sports, including athletics. His tenure will end this year and he has agreed to host this year’s AFN National Trials, which will serve as selection for the African Senior Athletics Championship in Cameroun and the Paris Olympics Games. We have the facilities, and the people of Edo State are always ready to show the rich culture the state is known for. It will be a great show this time,” Alli stated.

AFN President, Tonobok Okowa told The Guardian, yesterday, that the National Trials will run from June 16 to 18 in Benin City.

“The NCAA in the United States will end on June 8, and we want our athletes to be in their best at both the National Trials and African Championships. The African Championships in Douala will hold from June 21 to 26, and thereafter, our focus will be on preparations for the Olympics. I am praying and hoping that Team Nigeria will top the medals table in Douala and also win gold medals at the Olympics. God will help us,” Okowa stated.

Meanwhile, as a prelude to the preparation/commencement of activities for the 8th National Youth Games 2024, officials of the Ministry of Sports in Abuja and the management Committee of Delta Sports Commission held a meeting on Thursday (May 16), in Asaba, Delta State.

The meeting deliberated on a wide range of issues, just as it approved September 10 to 20, 2024 as the date for the 8th edition of the NYG, taking into cognisance the academic calendar of schools in Delta State and forthcoming Olympics and Para-Olympics Games.

It also approved the inclusion of Trado-sports (Abula) into the list of participating Sports for this year’s edition of NYG.

The stakeholder expressed appreciation to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State as well as Federal Ministry of Sports Development for their unalloyed commitment and contribution to the development of the Nigerian Youth
in respect to the NYG.

They acknowledged the goodwill message of the Minister of Sports Development, Mr John Enoh and the Permanent Secretary, represented by Mr Patrick Okeke (Director, Grassroots Sports).