How ‘Alika’ raced to 100m title at AFN-MoC trials

Winner of 100m men, Sunday Israel Okon. He clocked 10.20secs at the AFN/MoC National Trials for Africa Games in Asaba…..yesterday

Before the commencement of the Africa Games National Trials organised by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) in Asaba, Delta State, not much was known of the new 100m sensation, Israel Sunday Okon.

Although Okon, who resides in Asaba, had made some international trips with the AFN, including some World Athletics competitions in Zambia, Kenya, and Trinidad and Tobago, he had never made it huge on home soil. Okon’s parents hail from Akwa Ibom State, but he was born in Delta State. His nickname is ‘Alika the homeboy’.

The young sprinter has been under the tutelage of Coach Oputa Oluchuken since he was a teenager. Then, many people, including coaches, had written him off from making any meaningful impact in track and field for being too slim and small in size.

“No coach wanted to touch him because of his slim and smallish size. That was why I named him Alika, meaning Lizard,” Oluchuken revealed shortly after the athlete won the 100m race at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on Saturday evening.

Among the athletes on parade for the 100m title on Saturday evening was current world leader, Consider Ekanem, who ran 10.10 seconds in an athletics event in Lagos in January this year. There was also former national champion, Enoch Adegoke, an Olympics and Commonwealth Games finalist. All eyes were on the duo of Ekanem and Adegoke for the title, but it was ‘Alika the homeboy,’ who took the crown.

As is the practice in track and field events, the atmosphere inside the Stephen Keshi Stadium was charged, with the spectators on the edge of their seats waiting for the great race.

On your mark, set….but