Veteran Nigerian 400m athlete Wilson Ogbeide has donated ₦1 million toward the Athletic Heat 10th Anniversary Meet, scheduled for November 7, 2026, at the Yabatech Sports Complex in Lagos, Nigeria.
In recognition of his contribution and his distinguished career in the 400m, the men’s 400m event at the meet will be named the “Wilson Ogbeide Men’s 400m.”
Reacting to the donation, Ese Oguma, CEO of Athletic Heat, expressed his appreciation to Ogbeide for his generosity and support.
“We are extremely grateful to Mr. Ogbeide for this incredible gesture,” Oguma said. “Organizing a meet of this scale comes with significant financial demands, and securing funding has been one of our biggest challenges. His contribution is a major boost and will go a long way in helping us deliver a quality competition for Nigerian athletes.”
For Ogbeide, the decision to support the meet is rooted in a belief that athletics development must be a community effort.
His passion for giving back began through his children, who participated in developmental track meets in Oregon. Through that experience, he became involved with USATF Oregon and witnessed firsthand how former athletes, coaches, officials, parents and volunteers came together to create opportunities for the next generation.
“That experience made me ask: Why can’t we create something similar in Nigeria?” Ogbeide said.
Since then, he has supported Nigerian athletes in several ways, including welcoming Nigerian athletes who travel through Oregon and collecting donated running shoes, athletic clothing and equipment to take back to athletes and young people training at Nigeria’s National Stadium.
“I have followed Athletic Heat for the past nine years and have seen its consistent promotion of athletics in Nigeria and abroad,” Mr Ogbeide said. “When I eventually met Ese in Oregon, I learned how much of his work was self-funded. He travels to different cities to cover meets and highlight Nigerian athletes simply because of his commitment to the sport. When I heard he was organizing a meet with a developmental component, I felt I needed to support him. For me, the donation was about more than money. It was about supporting someone who is putting athletes first.”
Mr Ogbeide represented Nigeria on international level and he was also NAIA National indoor and outdoor Champion in the 400m.
Now retired from competitive athletics, Mr Ogbeide continues to give back through coaching and currently serves as a track coach at Riverdale High School.
Athletic Heat 10th Anniversary Meet will take place on November 7, 2026, at the Yabatech Sports Complex, Lagos, Nigeria, bringing together athletes for a major celebration of competition, community and a decade of Athletic Heat’s commitment to the sport.
Registration: Athletic Heat Meet registration https://www.a3tickets.com/event/Athletic-Heat-10th-Anniversary-Meet/