Not ready to take chances in the fast-approaching 2025 CAA U18/U20 African Championships billed for Abeokuta, Ogun State, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has invited about 90 junior athletes to camp. The event will run from July 16 to 20, 2025.
The three-week camping exercise will see coaches put the athletes through fitness regimes that will bring them near peak performance during the competition. The AFN is aiming to top the medals table.
Speaking on the development, AFN Technical Director, Gabriel Okon, said the coaches will concentrate on areas Nigerian athletes are likely to do well and win, saying that the primary goal of the federation is to give the young athletes the exposure they need.
“We are going to have about three weeks of comprehensive training and then evaluate the athletes before making a final selection for the championships,” said Okon. “Some of the athletes participated at the just concluded National Sports Festival and so we expect that they would still be in top shape. We will be focusing on areas we know we can do well.
“Within that period, we would train our relay teams to perfect their exchanges. At the end of the camping, we will be ready with a good team.”
Okon, who was recently elected into the AFN board from the South South zone, added that AFN’s new board is looking to start on a good note with the CAA U-20 and U-18 being the first competition it would participate in.
“We are the host federation and so our target is to top the medals table. But it is not a do or die for us.
“These are junior athletes; we want them to get the exposure to prepare themselves for greater things in track and field. We want them to enjoy the sport while also pursuing their education.”
Meanwhile, Kenya is preparing a contingent of 45 athletes for the 2025 CAA U18/U20 African Championships holding in Abeokuta.
According to Athletics Kenya Youth Committee Secretary, Joseph Ilovi, 45 athletes are expected to represent the East African country at the Championships holding from July 16 to 20.
Kenya’s two-day trials, which ended on Saturday, were used to select Team Kenya for the Championships.
After the trials, Ilovi said the athletes will head to camp from June 30 to July 13, before departing to Nigeria on July 14. He revealed that U-20 athletes must meet qualifying standards set by CAA, but the U-18 category is open. The Nigerian Championships, the third combined youth and junior event, was initially scheduled to take place in Oran, Algeria, but was moved for what the CAA said were “various reasons.” Over 800 athletes from about 53 countries are expected to grace the competition.
After the trials, Athletics Kenya Youth Development Director, Barnaba Korir, said:
“As Athletics Kenya’s Youth Development Director, I am deeply inspired by the incredible show of talent witnessed during the two-day National U18/U20 trials at Afraha Stadium.
“The level of competition, discipline, and determination displayed by our youth from all corners of the country affirms that Kenya’s future in athletics is in safe hands.
“The successful trials enabled us to select a strong, diverse, and determined team to represent Kenya at the 2025 Africa U-18/U-20 Championships in Nigeria. These young athletes reflect the hard work being done across the country through our youth development camps, schools, and regional programs.
“At Athletics Kenya, we are committed to building a future rooted in discipline, education, integrity, and clean sport. Our efforts include comprehensive athlete biodata registration, anti-doping education, and a strict stand against age cheating, because fairness and integrity are the foundation of our success,” Korir stated.
