By Ben Efe
Nigeria’s fastest man this season, Ogho-Oghene Egwero has stated that the All Nigeria Championships men’s 100m lacked the kind of competition that can produce a sub 10 seconds run.

•Egwero

The championships begin today at the Warri Township Stadium and according to the Delta-born athlete his aim, is to better his 10.15seconds season’s best and boost his credentials for the World Championships and the All Africa Games. He stated that his only worry is the quality of the opposition, that will be presented by his fellow competitors in the trials.

“My aim is to go faster  than my season best. But there has to be the push from the others, if it is not there I would have to run according body capacity and the training that I did,” said Egwero whose 10.06 personal best achieved in 2011 is still awaiting improvement.

He said that the tracks at the Warri Stadium not withstanding, he will be out to compete and win a place in Nigeria’s team to the two upcoming events. Egwero, is the athlete to beat in the 100m. His leading 10.15s seconds time is rivalled only by Seye Ogunlewe who ran 10.19 seconds. Jonathan Nmaju is the other runner who can stake a claim to the All Nigerian championships title.

Meanwhile, Egwero and Delta State have parted ways. He will now be running for Anambra State at the national sports festival.

“They refused to pay my entitlements. So I have to go where my efforts will be appreciated,” said the athlete.

Also the Nigerian women 400m is generating interest as two athletes Patience Okon-George and Regina George are building up a rivalry.

In the absence of Folasade Abughan, who has taken time to bear a child, Okon-George has forged ahead with a season’s best of 50.76 seconds and established herself as the woman to beat at the All Africa Games. However, George on the other hand is hoping to make the world championship standard and this is what will come to play when the two women take to the tracks during the trials.

Okon-George at the Warri Relays, won with 51. 78, while George on the other hand ran 51.95 seconds at the London Anniversary Games.