16 Gold medals up for grabs today as Athletics begin

Sixteen gold medals are up for grabs today as the athletics events of the 18th National Sports Festival begin this morning at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The first track and field gold to be won this morning is the women’s 20km walk race starting at 8.00am. The men’s version follows immediately.

The women’s 5,000km promises to be another interesting race as Benue girl, Shimenenge Agber and Bukola Pereira slug it out for the precious medal.

Men’s Shot put and women’s Javelin event finals are to be decided today.

Other events where medals are up for the pickings include, Amputee’s F57-58, Discuss F42-44, 100m (men) T45-46, 100m (women) T45-46, and Shot put F55-56.

Fans looking forward to the major races are not likely going to see more than heats of the men and women 100m and the 400m during the morning session.

The afternoon session will witness women long jumpers take to the pit to fish for the precious metals in the long jump event. The women’s 10,000m is to cap the day’s event.

Other special sports finals listed for the evening session include; Shot put F55/56 (women), Amputee F42-44, 100M Amputee T45-46 and Wheelchair T54 (women).

The men and women 100m finals are scheduled for tomorrow evening.