There is a popular saying that the downfall of a man is not the end of his life. One would think that our much admired Tobi Amusan would throw in the towel after she was highly discouraged and banned by the AUI for a test default, which almost disqualified her from the World Athletics Championship that was held in Hungary, Budapest last year.
The psychological trauma was not hidden in her performance that it indirectly affected other Nigerian athletes who participated in the championship. All the world’s athletes at the event had their eyes on Tobi and all her events, while we hoped that she would redeem the country’s image at the podium performance.
With consistent training and a focus that was not diminished, that incident which would have posed a challenge of career limitation to her, has rather turned her ‘night’ to a glorious morning of exaltation, with her recent record breaking time of 7.77 seconds in Astana, setting a new African Women’s indoor record in the 60 meters Hurdles indoor meet. Her belief in “forward ever and backward never” readily bore the fruit we are all celebrating today.
That brilliant performance evidently gives hope to sports fans, especially the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owen Eno, and the president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) who have so much trust in the potential of Nigeria’s youths, and who have said “we know that Tobi Amusan, with her innate ability and determination, will always make Nigeria proud”.
The minister of sports development, with exultant joy, has continued to eulogise the determined spirit of the young Hurdles sprinter as well as of other athletes who have assured him from their performances that, not only will they make it to the podium performance of all events, they will also ensure that the country’s flag draws the attention of the world as usual, during the Africa and Olympics Games slated to hold in Ghana and Paris this year.
The minister, in his congratulatory message to Tobi, emphasised that her clocking an impressive time of 7.77 seconds did not only secure victory but also etched her name in history by erasing the long standing record of 7.82 seconds set by Glory Alozie in 1999. He said by that feat, she has demonstrated the epitome of true athleticism, and that Nigerians are immensely proud of her. In conclusion, he said her dedication and commitment to her craft are an inspiration to all budding athletes both in Nigeria and across the continent.
Tobi’s achievement is not only a personal triumph but a historic moment for Nigerians and African sports. Our track and field athletes know that their last performance in Budapest was probably the highest embarrassment to the country, and in their own remedy, have decided to rewrite that poor outing to become the new testament of track and field event. Interestingly, Favour Ofilli, who is fondly called “Over charged”, is also taking a lead in her first indoor race by securing a time of 22.87 seconds to win the women’s 200m open at the Razorback meet recently.
More surprises are also springing up from the AFN as the President of the Federation Chief Tonobk Okowa has taken giant steps to sanitise the whole system and has discarded stakeholders that have no positive vision and mission that can add value to the goals of his Federation.
The management of AFN are aware of the challenging times ahead of their qualifications and the need for proper management of their office. Thus, they are making frantic efforts to constitute various committees that will drive the success of the Federation in the competitions ahead. However, the Head of Competitions, Comm. Nasiama, in his reaction to the time constraints, had this to say: “Although times are short, the latest we heard from the African Games Organisers in Ghana was that all entries should be submitted by the middle of February. This makes our job very tight and urgent. It then means that AFN will adjust its programmes to accommodate the national trials within a short time in order to get all our athletes involved”. AFN thus wants to urgently organise a series of competitions in order to keep the athletes in top shape and well primed ahead of Africa Games.
Meanwhile, the minister of sports development, in his effort to support all necessary logistics and arrangements for a successful outing at the 13th African Games, wishes to have the athletes camped in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja in preparation for their forthcoming events. Senator Enoh personally monitors the daily qualifying events and time of the athletes, to enable his ministry select qualified ones that can duly represent the country.
There is indeed a bright outlook for Nigeria. In collaboration with the ministry, the AFN has confirmed that Nathaniel Ezekiel has qualified for the 400m Hurdles. Ibadan Edose has also qualified for the 800m and is among the outstanding athletes, Temitope Adeshina is already in the podium performance with her recent best of 1.95 in High Jump. The likes of Umukoro, Onojuvwevo, Usoro and Godson Brume are believed to be successful in their personal best times. Tobi has also qualified for her 110mh and would possibly join the relay team of 4x100m if the times of her events are favourably spread out during the Olympic Games.
Nwokorie is a press officer, Ministry of Sports Development.
