2013 AFN Relays Moved to Ijebu Ode

AFN President, Chief Solomon Ogba

The first leg of the 2013 Athletics Federation of Nigeria Relays earlier scheduled to hold in Sagamu  has been moved to the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode.

The Coordinator of the All Nigeria Relays, Yusuf Ali, confirmed Wednesday that the date of the meet remains Saturday, March 16 with the same events earlier listed.

"The first leg of the All Nigeria Relays will hold in Ijebu Ode instead of Sagamu. We had to make the switch for logistic reasons," said the former Team Nigeria captain whose national long jump record of 8.27m remains unbeaten for over two decades.

Some of the events listed for the Ijebu Ode meet include over-distance races  like 150m, 300m, 600m and 3000m in both men and women categories.

The relay events include; 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m and the 4x800m relays.

Ali hinted that the national relay team will also compete at the Ijebu Ode  event as part of the nation's build up to qualify for the World Championships later in the year.

"As part of our build up for the World Championships in Russia, our relay teams are going to compete in all the legs of the  All Nigeria Relays. It will begin with the first leg in  Ijebu Ode this weekend," stressed Ali.

Ogho-Oghene Egwero, Obinna Metu, Peter Emelieze and Benjamin Adukwu are all expected to enliven the Ijebu Ode race.

Meanwhile, the second leg of the event is expected to hold in Warri, Delta State on March 23 at the refurbished Warri City Stadium.

It is part of the dress rehearsal for the African Youth Athletics Championships billed to kick off on March 27 at the same venue.