By Solomon Nwoke

CHIEF coach Abia State Athletics Association, Tobias Igwes has lamented the absence of his two key athletes, Nkeiruka Uwakwe in the 200m women and Chukwudike Harry in the 100m men as he said much should not be expected from him

in the athletics event of the Garden City Games which got underway Monday at the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium Port Harcourt.

He said the two athletes had to leave yesterday for France for an international meet where they will represent the country in the meet. He said that the time of their  departure for the international meet coincided with the  Festival Games’ athletics  event.

“Two of my athletes,  Nkeiruka Uwakwe,  the girl who won the gold medal for Nigeria  in the 200meters women event at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore last year  and Chukwudike Harry the current Nigeria’s Under-18 champion who has been  improving by each passing day are not here. With the 10:61secs he ran in Lagos, I was  expecting him to run 10:40 secs and make an impact here, but they are leaving  today (Monday) for France for an international championship where they will  represent the country.

“I cannot blame anybody because the national assignment supersedes that of the  state, that’s why I cannot talk, but people should take note before they start  saying “Toblow did not perform at the festival games”, he said

Igwe, a former athlete fondly called ‘Toblow’ by his fans however consoled  himself by saying that his athletes would do their best  in other events.