NAN-S-7
Athletics
Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) The 2 Division of the Nigerian Army has dominated the athletics event of the ongoing Nigerian Army Sports Festival in Abuja, winning in the men and women 400m, 1500m, high and triple jumps.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kabiru Yusuf and Joseph Boniface both of 2 Division, returned 50.48secs and 51.47secs to win gold and silver in the 400m men’s category respectively.
Also Oluwole Olayiwole and Obilor Lorine from the Division won gold in the 400m and 1500m final in the women’s category with a time of 64.01secs and 5.32.52secs respectively.
Anyanwu Ogichukwu and Kabiru Yusuf of 2 Division came first in the men’s category of high jump and triple jump with a performance of 1.97 and 12.24m respectively.
NAN also report that Ibitayo Sunday of Army Headquarters (AHQ) won gold in the men’s category of 1500m with 4.28.76secs.
Abu Aliyu and Abel Anthony also of the AHQ came second and third in the men’s high jump with a performance of 1.75m and 1.60m respectively.
In the women’s Discus, Maryam Ekeada of AHQ claimed the gold with a throw of 23.53m, while Tessy Idowu and Janet Abu both of 1 Division came second and third respectively, throwing 19.92m and 19.76m.
Ogichukwu told NAN that he dedicated his victory to God and his coach.
“I am not a high jump athlete but my coach encouraged me to give it a try and thank God, I came out the best.
“I hope to make a career with my talent. I will train hard and I also appeal to the Army authorities to release me to attend competitions that will further improve my skills,’’ he said.
Yusuf thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai for resuscitating the Army Sports Festival, adding that it would help to develop sports in Nigeria. (NAN)
DE/PDE
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(Edited and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)