Porbeni optimistic as Brume, other athletes thrill fans in Asaba camp

After narrowly losing out in the race to the Tokyo Olympics, one of Nigeria’s finest junior sprinters, Okeoghene Brume, is a thrilling athletics fan in Team Nigeria’s Asaba camp ahead of the forthcoming World U20 Athletics Championships.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) opened camp in Asaba on July 23 for 26 athletes selected from different parts of the country to prepare for the World Championship, which will hold at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi, Kenya between August 17 and 23.

Brume is leading the pack of sprinters, which include Favour Oghenetejire Ashe, Adekalu Nicholas Fakorede, Mabilo Niholas Oghenevo, Agelivie Efe-Sam and Emmanuel Oche. The women sprinters in the camp are Praise Ofoku, Anita Taviore, Olayinka Olaijide and Blessing Aguda.

The head coach of the U20 camp, former Nigerian jumper, hurdler and sprinter, Seigha Porbeni, told The Guardian yesterday that Nigeria’s sprinters will shock the world in Nairobi.

“We have good sprinters who are capable of dominating the 100m and 200m at the world championship,” Porbeni said.

The final list of athletes that will fly Nigeria’s flag in Nairobi is expected to be picked after the open trial on July 29.

AFN President, Tonobok Okowa, revealed last week that about five of the country’s junior athletes, including Favour Ofili, are currently in Tokyo for the Olympics Games, adding that they will join Team Nigeria in Kenya.