AFN’s Performance Director targets better outing at Oregon 2022

Silver medallist Nigeria’s Ese Brume poses during the podium ceremony of the women’s long jump final on the third day of The World Athletics Indoor Championships 2022 at the Stark Arena, in Belgrade, on March 20, 2022. (Photo by pedja milosavljevic / AFP)

‘Silver medal in Belgrade, a big boost’

After leading Team Nigeria to the World Indoor championships podium for the first time in 14 years in Belgrade last week, Performance Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), U.S.-based Victor Okorie says the Federation is doing everything possible to ‘harvest’ more medals in this year’s World Athletics Championship tagged ‘Oregon 2022.’

The World Indoor Championship in Belgrade, Serbia, where a long jumper, Ese Brume, captured a silver medal, was the first major assignment for Okorie since his appointment as AFN Performance Director.

Speaking with The Guardian from his base in the United States on his return from Belgrade, Okorie, a former 400m hurdler, stated that the focus of AFN was on parading medals prospect athletes at the fast-approaching World Championship in Oregon, USA.

The World Championship, the biggest event for athletics, will hold between July 15 and 24, 2022.

Okorie, a silver medalist for Team Nigeria at Abuja 2003 All African Games in the 400m hurdles, stated that athletes, who qualify to fly the nation’s flag at Oregon 2022, would be given adequate preparations.

“I am so excited about our performance at the World Indoors in Belgrade,” Okorie said. “It is a sign of better things to come this year. Now, our focus has shifted to the World Athletics Championship in Oregon, and the AFN is doing everything possible to ensure that our athletes get the best of preparation that will lead to success.”

Okorie