As Egwero fails to travel

By Ben Efe

As the IAAF World Relays gather steam today in the Bahamas, there are doubts if the Nigerian women 4x400m quartet can repeat or improve on the bronze medal they won at the last edition. It was Nigeria’s only medal in 2014.

Folashade Abugan, the fastest quarter-miler last season has taken time off to face another childbirth, while Omolara Omotosho is out injured. The contributions of the two women were central to the team’s podium performance in the maiden edition. The women 4x400m final will be decided today and according to Patience Okon, they are going to put on their best performance to come out in the top three.

“We will miss Shade and Lara in the race. But I believe in Almighty God because he is the author and the finisher of everything,”Okon stated.

The women 4x100m final will also be decided today, with Blessing Okagbare, Gloria Asumnu, Christy Udoh, Peace Uko and others poised to race for a medal, after they ran in the 4x200m earlier this morning. However, Asumnu is worried about selections and decisions being made by the coaches. “I just have to laugh to keep myself from crying,” she said. “However, I remain focused, as if it is an Olympic event,” she said. The men 4x100m team missed the service of Ogho-Oghene Egwero. Egwero one of best male sprinters in Nigeria could not make the flight to Nassau, after the the ticketing agent bungled arrangements.

“He couldn’t confirm the ticket as at Friday and so I had to sit back. But I trust that the men race will pick up this year we still have the world championships coming up.”