The top 11 Nigerian athletes at the just concluded 10-kilometre Okpekpe Road Race have been called up to the national camp ahead of the All Africa Games and Olympics Games.
According to former international and member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Yusuf Alli, the athletes that performed well at Okpekpe tournament would be considered to be part of the national camp of major tournaments.
Alli said their performance qualified them to make the camp and they are expected to continue their training in readiness for major competitions.
At Okpekpe, Plateau’s Emmanuel Gyang ran 32.31 and finished 17 to lead Nigeria’s male athlete at the tournament.
Others are Plateau’s duo of Gideon Goyet, William Kefas, while Edo’s Osheku Lawrence, who ran 34.46secs finished fourth nationally.
Other national athletes that made the cut for the top 11 are Plateau’s Joshua Hassan and Dapreng Luka as well as Abia’s Ugochukwu Chuckwumadu and Robert Okam.
In the women’s event, Deborah Pam of Plateau, who ran 38.41secs dominated. Others in top 10 are Lagos’ Ogunkoya Muibat, Edo’s Asedo Queensly, Lagos’ Ann Seriki, Niger’s Mary Raphael, Edo’s trio of Amalawa Emmanuel, Lawani Ruby and Peace Ikerebe.
For the top three Edo State athletes at the tournament, Asedo Queensly led the female event. Others are Amalawa Emmanuel and Lawani Ruby.
The male event was ruled by Osheku Lawrence while others in top three are Edetalen Osmoses and Davidson Ohafi.
It will be recalled Alex Korio of Kenya won with 29 minutes, 20 seconds to come first while Leigh Gabriesileshe of Ethiopia came second with a time of 29 minutes 22 seconds and Amos Muteh of Kenya came third with a time of 29 minutes, 24 seconds.
In the female category, Tanui Nkele of Kenya came first with a time of 33:34, while Rino Ripo also of Kenya came second with a time of 33:52. Mary Wasera made it a clean sweep for the Kenyans with a time of 34:31 to come third.
In the VIP race, Governor Adams Oshiomhole topped with a time of 88 minutes.
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