CAA Athletics: Asaba Ready To Host Africa In Style, Says Alli, Ekeji, Elegbeleye Join Volunteers’ Unit

The Head Technical for the 2018 African Senior Athletics Championships, Yussuf Alli has declared that Asaba, Delta State and indeed Nigeria is now fully ready to host the rest of the continent in its flagship Track and Field competition.

In a statement issued by Olukayode Thomas, Head Media, and Publicity for CAA Asaba 2018, Alli stated that after months of working round the clockto get things done, Asaba is now fully ready to host Africa’s best athletes.

“Yes, we are fully ready to host Africa now, after the recent test event (African tour) that will held to test run our facilities, we have corrected the few lapses we saw and now we are good to go,” the former Africa record holder in the men’s Long Jump event stated.

Alli said he is confident of a good show from the African athletes that would be on parade; adding that there would be much excitement on and off the pitch of action.

“I am happy that the participating countries are taking this championship serious and with the facilities we have put in place, one can only expect the best of athletics from August 1-5,” Alli assured.

During the last inspection exercise of facilities by officials of the Confederation of African Athletics, CAA, Asaba is deemed not just to have met the continent’s requirement but it was asserted that the facilities on the ground can also host a world championship.

South Africa are the defending champions of this biennial athletics championship and while they are hoping to complete a hat-trick of wins in Nigeria, they are braced for a tough battle with the likes of Kenya and of course, hosts Nigeria.

Meanwhile, two former Director Generals for the Nigeria Sports Commission, NSC Dr. Patrick Ekeji, and Gbenga Elegbeleye have both signed up to be volunteers at the 21st African Senior Athletics Championships that will be taking place in Asaba, Delta State.

The championship which is barely eight days away has been enjoying huge support from well-meaning Nigerians who have continued to express their willingness to contribute their quota no matter how little to ensure that CAA Asaba 2018 is successful.

Thomas said the LOC chairman, Solomon Ogba thanked the astute sports administrators for standing up to be counted in this historic moment for the country.

Ogba who acknowledged the good works done by Ekeji and Elegbeleye during their time at the NSC and beyond said he was happy to have them in the volunteers’ team that already has another former NSC boss, Amos Adamu as well as eminent people like Nduka Irabor former LMC boss and Mike Itemagbour among others.

“More eminent Nigerians are coming on board and we thank these well-respected sports administrators for identifying with us as we get ready to host Africa in style,” Ogba stated.

Ekeji a former Nigeria international was first appointed National Director of Sports at the National Sports Commission in December 1994, Director of Sports Development at the National Sports Commission, 2001, and then Director-General, National Sports Commission in 2009, a post he retired from in 2013.

On his part, Elegbeleye who was appointed as the NSC boss in 2013 has been a notable figure in the Nigeria sports polity for over two decades.

The 2018 African Senior Athletics Championships will take place at the newly completed Stephen Keshi Stadium, August 1-5.