After Dan Ngerem left the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), the sport, second only to football in this country, took a nose-dive and was almost comatose. Mrs. Violet Odogwu-Nwajei, whom some ex-athletes touted as a messiah, became an absentee President, never showing up when it mattered.

Ex- international, Adokiye Amisiemaka’s mates in Nigeria’s 1980 African Cup of Nations winning team, captain Christian Chukwu (CFR) and Charles Bassey (MON) both have taken divergent views on his suggestion that immediate past captain of the national team, Austin Okocha should be begged to return to the team to give it more bite in the 2010 World Cup campaign.

Prince Wale Oladunjoye, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Fashola on Grassroots Sports, represented his boss at the recently held Top Town Challenge in Anthony Village. The event, with the intent of discovering talents from the community level, took off in a flying start last Saturday as residents of Anthony Village turned out en mass and competed in the soccer, table tennis, tennis and track and field events.

The Super Eagles have been warned that anything short of winning in the remaining World Cup qualifying matches would cost the country the hope of a berth in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Former Wimbledon striker and member of the Presidential Task Force Committee for Super Eagles qualification for 2010 World Cup in South Africa, John Fashanu has added a new dimension to the call on former Super Eagles captain Austin Okocha to quit retirement and lace his boots for Nigeria again.