Foremost supporters of the track and field sport in Nigeria, the Athletics Supporters Club of Nigeria, (ASCN), have arrived Benin-City, capital of Edo state for the Athletics Federation of Nigeria Final Classics holding in the South-South state.
Led by its President, Olutoye Orishabiyi, the Athletics Supporters Club of Nigeria (ASCN) members trooped into the ancient city of Benin on Thursday to give their support to the athletes as the AFN final Classics serves off.
“We are here to continue from where we stopped at the last Classics in Yaba-Tech in Lagos and the M.K.O. Abiola Stadium in Abuja. Anywhere Athletics goes in Nigeria, that is where you will also find myself and my members. We are never tired of singing and dancing for Nigeria”, the ASCN President revealed.
Athletes from all over Nigeria have arrived Edo State, for the AFN final Classics, holding at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin-City.
The event which was initially slated for Awka, Anambra State had to be moved to the city of Benin because of the security situation in the South Eastern state.
It was also reliably gathered that apart from the insecurity situation, the absence of some major facilities, including circle for the throwing events and range for long jump at the recently completed stadium in Awka, also necesitated the shift in venue of the event.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria, (AFN) is organising the classic to put the home-based athletes in shape ahead of the African Athletics Championships in Mauritius, World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK.
The chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Yusuf Alli, a one time team Nigeria captain, has assured all of the states readiness to host the event.
“We have put all necessary measures in place to make the classic at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium a success”, the former long jumper confirmed.
The 2022 African Senior Athletics Championship will hold from June 8-12 at the brand-new Côte d’Or National Sports Complex in Mauritius.
