Budapest Experience Strengthens AFN’s 2027 World Championships Plans — Okowa

Posted : 16 September 2026

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has begun drawing lessons from Team Nigeria’s campaign at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary, with preparations for next year’s World Championships already in focus.

AFN President Chief Tonobok Okowa said the performances of the country’s youthful contingent provided encouragement despite the difficulties that preceded their participation in the competition.

Nigeria reached the final in four of the five events it contested, with former world record holder Tobi Amusan winning silver in the women’s 100m hurdles and Kanyinsola Ajayi finishing just outside the podium places in the men’s 100m.

Okowa said the performances demonstrated the potential within Nigeria’s emerging generation of athletes and provided valuable experience ahead of the 2027 World Athletics Championships in China.

“I am very proud of the athletes and the way they represented Nigeria in Budapest. They showed courage, determination and the right competitive spirit despite the circumstances surrounding the team’s participation,” he said.

“This is a young team, and the fact that we made it to the final in four of the five events we competed in is very encouraging.”

The AFN president said the federation would use the lessons from Budapest to identify areas requiring improvement and ensure that the athletes receive adequate preparation for the World Championships.

“The team to Budapest is a young one. The World Championship in China next year is the AFN’s big focus. We will continue to work with these athletes, identify areas that need improvement and prepare them properly for the World Championships,” he said.

Okowa also revealed that Samuel Ogazi, one of Nigeria’s promising one-lap athletes, missed the Budapest championship due to a toe injury.

Ogazi’s absence further reduced Nigeria’s options at the competition, but the AFN chief said the performances of the athletes who competed remained encouraging.

The Budapest campaign was also affected by visa challenges that threatened Nigeria’s participation, with the 100m mixed relay team ultimately missing the championship after some of its athletes failed to secure visas.

Okowa, who is also a Senior Vice President of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), expressed disappointment over delays in the issuance of visa-support letters by the Local Organising Committee and difficulties encountered during the visa process.

He said interventions by Nigerian sports officials, including the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engineer Habu Gumel, were made in an effort to assist the delegation.

According to Okowa, the experience highlighted the need for earlier attention to travel documentation and logistics ahead of future international competitions.

“The athletes should not have to go through this kind of pressure when they are preparing to compete for their country. We must learn from what happened and ensure that everything concerning visas, documentation and logistics is handled much earlier,” he said.

With Budapest concluded, the AFN is expected to build on the experience as it prepares a new generation of athletes for the 2027 World Championships.

Amusan’s silver medal and Ajayi’s strong showing in the 100m, alongside the expected return of Ogazi from injury, have provided further reference points as the federation continues its preparations for the global championship in China.

Budapest Experience Strengthens AFN’s 2027 World Championships Plans — Okowa

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics