By Ben Efe
Athletics Federation of Nigeria officials are looking to select a crop of young athletes that will form the thrust of its youth development programme as the Pastor D.K Olukoya Under-17 Championships begin today at the Yaba College of Technology sports complex Lagos.

The meet is a trial selection for the maiden Africa Athletics Youth Championships billed for Warri, DeltaState later in the month. According to AFN technical director, Omatseye Nesiama there will be a tighter control of the selection process, so that athletes who are truly under-17 team would be selected for the AYC.

“We are not seeking to win at all cost at the AYC. Our aim is to take a crop of Under-17 athletes there and after the Championships we will see those that can be trained to become world class athletes in the nearest future,” said Nesiama, a Navy Commodore.

All the states of the federation are expected to present their athletes for the championships. All eyes will be on CrossRiver and Anambra  state teams whose athletes formed a rivalry of some sorts at the last National Schools Sports Festival in Port Harcourt.

“We know that there are talents in this country. We expect so see the very best of our junior athletes,” added Navy Commodore Nesiama.