Alli explains lean team to World Athletics Championships in Tokyo
The Chief Executive Officer of the Elite Athletes Development and Performance Board, Yussuf Alli, has said Nigeria is taking a lean team to the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championship to avoid another jamboree. Speaking over the weekend, the Olympian said, “The era of jamboree and going to major games and championships with a huge team […]
FILE PHOTO: Tobi Amusan
The Chief Executive Officer of the Elite Athletes Development and Performance Board, Yussuf Alli, has said Nigeria is taking a lean team to the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championship to avoid another jamboree.
Speaking over the weekend, the Olympian said, “The era of jamboree and going to major games and championships with a huge team that won’t benefit Team Nigeria in the long or the short run is over. That is one of the issues that the National Sports Commission (NSC) has asked the Performance Board to fix.”
By long- and short-term benefits, Alli explained that athletes who will benefit Team Nigeria in the short run are those who, based on their ranking and performances this season, have what it takes to reach the final of their events.
He also said those who will benefit Team Nigeria in the long run are young athletes with immense potential who need exposure to big-time competitions in front of massive crowds.
Sharing a personal example, Alli revealed that Isaac Akioye took him to the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, fully aware it would take a miracle for him to win a medal, but believing the experience would change his story.
“And the experience I got in Moscow defined my career. Apart from my co-jumpers, the crowd were also competitors and after Moscow I mastered the act of competing in front of a huge crowd.
Three years later, I became a world champion in Canada. So, we are investing in athletes that have what it takes to get to the finals of their sport and young athletes who are future medalists.”
The World Athletics Championships will take place in Tokyo, Japan, from September 13 to 21.
Heading the list to Tokyo is world record holder in the 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan, who has been in impressive form this season.
Others are Ese Brume, Shot putter Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, 400m hurdles sensation Ezekiel Nathaniel, Samuel Ogazi (400m), Kayinsola Ajayi (100m), Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons (discus), Prestina Ochonogor (long jump), Obiageri Amaechi (discus), Charles Godfred (long jump), Rosemary Chukwuma (100m), Oyesade Olatoye (hammer), Israel S. Okon (100m), and Chidi Okezie (400m).