AFN dangles $118, 950 on athletes, as Nigeria hosts World relays

Warri Relays-CAA Grand Prix to hold May 18

All is set for the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Grand Prix, tagged 2015 Warri Relays. It
currently ranks second in Africa behind the famous World Challenge in Rabat, Morocco.

For the championship to live up to expectations, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), which is the Meet organisers, have put in place a mouth-watering sum of $118, 950 for the athletes, who will compete in the World Relays.

The championship is being staged by the AFN in conjunction with Delta State Government and Soloo Sports Management and Marketing Ltd.

The Meet Director, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, told The Guardian yesterday that the championship, which has a CAA Golden Label, would take place on Monday, May 18, in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. The Theme of this Year’s Event is; “Inspiring Fresh Speeds of the Baton.”

Nesiama, who is AFN’s Technical Director, said interested National Federations and Athletes’ Representatives/Managers were requested to send in entries of athletes in the IAAF Top-30 in the particular events of interest on or before April 23 2015.

“The request should indicate the athlete’s full details, including IAAF ranking, personal and seasonal best (PBs and SBs) in events being entered for.

“The Meet Organizers in conjunction with the National Federation would send letters of invitation to Member Federations and Managers of athletes selected as confirmed for the Meet. Those athletes placed on the stand-by list would also be communicated accordingly. The Meet Organizers would be responsible for the flight tickets, accommodation and feeding for all athletes confirmed for the Meet,” Nesiama said.

He revealed that the Meet organisers have put in place some conditions for participation in the International Relay Invitation.

The Nigeria versus the World Relays for both the men and women category is open for countries wishing to improve their rankings in the relay events to assist qualification for the World Championships 2015.

According to Nesiama, interested countries are invited to confirm their participation in the 4x100m and 4x400m relay events of the Meet latest by April 27, 2015.

“This is to enable the Meet Organizers carry out necessary immigration assistance formalities. Medals and prize monies would be presented to the top three finishers in the Nigeria vs the World Relays.

“The Meet Organizer would be responsible for all expenses paid trip of two-athletes/relay event. The international transportation of the rest members of the team shall be the responsibility of the participating country.

However, the Organizers would be responsible for the transportation within Nigeria for the whole of the relay team comprising of a maximum of four athletes per team/relay event and a coach or team official. Only six lanes are available in each of the relay events and slots would be given out on first come first served basis,” he said.

Athletes in the four Premium Events-Men’s 100m, 400m.

Women- 100m and 400m, will battle for $4,000, $2,500, $1,500, $1,000, $600, $500, $400 and $200, totaling $42,800.

Those competing in the four Classic Events—Men’s long jump, triple Jump, women’s 100m hurdles and long Jump will battle for $2,000, $1,500, $1,000, $600, $500, $400, $250 and $150 totaling $25,600.

For the four Promotional Events: Men’s 400m hurdles, 800m, women’s 400m hurdles and 800m, they will fight for $1,000, $800, $600, $500, $300, $200, $150 and $100 totaling $14,600, just as those in the International Relays Events will battle for $2,500, $2,000 and $1,500 totaling $24,000.

The School Relays attracts $400, $200 and $100 totaling $3,200, while the seven National Events—Man’s 200m, 110m hurdles, shot put, javelin throw and female 200m, triple Jump and high jump will attracts $400, $300, $200, $150, $100 and $100 totaling $8,750.