Reigning World 100m hurdles champion and record holder, Tobi Amusan says she didn’t think twice before coming home to compete at the Nigerian Track and Field Championships which ends on Wednesday.
The 26 year was the star attraction in her first competition in Nigeria after her historic win in Oregon, USA last year at the World Athletics Championships.
She won the sprint hurdles title for the third straight year and took to her Facebook page to express her delight for honouring the national call.
‘Nigeria is home for me and I have to report whenever duty requires it, ‘ said the reigning African, Commonwealth and Diamond League champion.
The petite athlete was thrilled to win her third 100m hurdles title and serving as an inspiration to the younger ones as she competed in a near empty
stadium.
‘I had a lovely time in Benin, Edo state, clinching my 3rd consecutive National title and inspiring the younger generation.
‘If a young Ijebu-Ode girl can make it to the world stage, you can as well!,’ wrote the world champion.
Amusan has been praised by many Nigerians for not feeling bigger than her country and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
A few notable athletes shunned the championships after the AFN had issued a statement that athletes who fail to compete at the championships will not be available for selection for the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary next month.
Top on the list of athletes who shunned the championships was Udodi Onwuzurike who, according to quotes attributed to his father in the social media, arrived Nigeria from the USA on Wednesday, July 5, the day the three-day championships started.
The report say the 20 year old decided to stay in Lagos after his failure to get a flight to Benin and based on the advice from the AFN.
‘For an athlete who came purposely for the championships, arriving on the day of the competition shows he is either not serious or he has been told he was coming only for the Region 2 championships in Lome, Togo which started on Friday,’ said a stakeholder who believes the AFN only issued empty threats.
‘I believe the AFN only issued the statement to show they don’t condone indiscipline following criticims of a few USA based athletes who have been rumoured will stay away from the championships
‘The most unfortunate thing is the comment attributed to Udodi’s father that his son has been told to stay and wait for the team in Lagos just a few days after the statement warning of the consequences of staying away. I believe this AFN can only bark but not bite and it is being teleguided by a former two-time President of the federation,’ said the stakeholder.
