By Ben Efe
South Africa registered 30 athletes for the African youth athletics championships, but as at yesterday, they were yet to arrive in Warri.

It was gathered that changes in the administration of the South Africa Athletics federation frustrated their plans to be in Nigeria. However, Athletics Federation of Nigeria officials said they are still expecting the South Africans.

“That is the only country that I expected to give Nigeria stiff competition at the championships. Their absence will weaken competition most especially in the sprints and field events.

“In the middle and long distances it will be Kenya and Ehtiopia, but in the sprinters we do not see any other country other than South Africa giving us a challenge,” said a member of the AFN.

Also former national long jump champion Tunde Suleiman said that Nigeria will dominate the jumps based on the preparations his athletes put in camp.

“We have two girls that I am banking on to give us medals. They are Kazie Ugeh in the triple jump and Uyoyo Mercy Abire in the long jump.

“We have really worked hard in training and from what I am seeing, there could be a revival of the jumps in Nigeria.”