Amusan, Brume’s arrival electrifies Benin as AFN national trials begin

[FILE] Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume celebrate their historic moment at Oregon 2022

‘Bamidele Emmanuel not in our plans’

Yesterday’s heavy down pour in Benin notwithstanding, athletics lovers from different parts of the city thronged the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium to catch a glimpse of world champion, Tobiloba Amusan, silver medalist at the last World Championships in Oregon, U.S., Ese Brume and other foreign-based athletes, who just arrived in the city for the national trials.

The arrival of Amusan, Brume and others, including Udodi Onwuzurike, took the number of the foreign-based athletes to 16 yesterday. Amusan, who won the 100m hurdles at the Diamond League in Sweden on Sunday night, arrived in Benin City at about 11.00 a.m. yesterday, but the heavy rain delayed her appearance at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

The news of her arrival had spread around the town and at about 4.00 p.m., she, alongside Brume, and other foreign-based athletes took to the tracks with the fans in their hundreds applauding from the stands.

Over 160 athletes, including some home-based stars, those from the U.S and European countries, will be on parade at the stadium today to vie for spots in Nigeria’s team to the 19th World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

The national trials will end on July 7. Last year, the same Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium hosted the trials for both the World Championships in Oregon and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

Meanwhile, AFN has said that reigning NCAA 400m champion, Bamidele Emmanuel, will not represent the country at the fast approaching World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

The Nigerian had an impressive 400m race at the Diamond League in Stockholm, Sweden on Sunday evening, placing