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By Ijeoma Okigbo
Counting down to the African Senior Athletics Championships in Asaba, Sunday Adeleye, Technical Director of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), says the country’s target was to host well the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Championships and win clean.
Adeleye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, 25/2018, in Abuja that the federation hoped to surpass its feat in the last edition in South Africa and would do it “convincingly’’.
“We have not had any issues of athletes testing positive to drugs because we have done a lot of sensitisation and monitoring of our athletes.
“We have a culture of making sure that our athletes are clean of drugs and win positively,’’ he said.
The erstwhile athlete also noted that over 300 athletes would feature in trials ahead of the event.
“We are inviting the finest Nigerian athletes from their local and abroad bases to take part in trials from July 8 to July 12 in Abuja, so as to select the best 135 to represent the country in Asaba.
“We are going to surpass the 16 medals we obtained in South Africa two years ago as our athletes are preparing very hard for the event.
“We will also feature in all events as we have athletes who are doing well but due to financial constraints have not been able to participate in such events.
“Those athletes will also be given the opportunity to showcase themselves,’’ Adeleye said.
The official added the federation was working alongside the event’s Local Organising Committee to ensure a successful event from Aug. 1 to Aug. 5, 2018. (NAN)