In a landmark moment for Nigerian athletics, a group of standout home based athletes has arrived in Europe to compete at the prestigious Athletics Week in Russia, marking the first time many of them will be competing on European soil.
Fresh from their performances at the just concluded National Sports Festival in Abeokuta. This initiative, powered by the Djoumessi Sports Agency, provides a rare but golden opportunity for homegrown talents to gain international exposure and valuable competitive experience.
Leading the pack is Samson Nathaniel, a seasoned 400m runner who will be testing his mettle in Europe with a Season’s Best of 45.88s. He is expected to compete in the men’s 400m this weekend.
Also making his European debut is rising hurdler Wisdom Great Musa, who will be lining up in both the 60m Hurdles and 110m Hurdles, bringing the same energy that earned him national recognition.
On the women’s side Faith Osamuyi, is scheduled to compete in the women’s 60m hurdles on June 6 and the 100m hurdles on June 8. Ronke Akanbi, who will take on the distance events, specifically the 1500m and 3000m steeplechase. Sofia Efetebore, is set to race in both the 60m and 100m events. The athletes are under the experienced guidance of veteran coach Ojuola Ayinde, who will be leading the team through this crucial international outing.
This move signals a significant shift for Nigeria’s athletics ecosystem. Traditionally, international meets have been dominated by foreign based athletes, but this development reaffirms the potential embedded in the nation’s local sporting talent.
The Athletics Week in Russia is expected to serve as a launching pad for these athletes, giving them a platform to compete against some of the best athletes from around the world, build confidence, and set personal and national records.
With growing support for grassroots athletes, initiatives like this may soon become the norm empowering more home based stars to shine on the global stage. All eyes will be on the Nigerian squad this weekend as they begin their European journey.
