By BEN EFE

Former quarter-miler Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju foresees a rebirth of Nigeria’s golden era in athletics especially the 400m, only if those in charge of affairs apply the right approach to the development of athletics.

Yusuf-Olukoju was only 17 years when she won a 400m gold at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland New Zealand. She grew up to be an athlete of international repute and also creating a formidable rivalry with compatriots Falilat Ogunkoya, Charity Opara and Bisi Afolabi. They were in the top ten world list during their era and justifiably, they won the 4x400m silver at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics Games.

After their exit from the scene Nigeria has struggled in the 400m even in Africa where Nigeria men and women dominated all the sprints medals.

“Its very sad. But I can tell you that there are more, where Fali, Fatimat, Charity and Bisi came from. “Nigeria must go back to their old and effective ways of developing young athletes. Elementary level the key here,” the former athlete turned a fitness coach in the USA.