By Mike Oboh, Zaria
The Confederation of Africa Athletics Region II competition will begin on Saturday in Zaria, Kaduna State with Nigeria registering the highest number of participating athletes and officials, Daybreak authoritatively report.
The competition which has six countries in attendance as at press time, witnessed the arrival of five other countries with the host nation, Nigeria registering 69-man contingent with 56 athletes and 13 officials, Senegal has the second spot with 30 athletes and 6 officials, Guinea Bissau had four athletes and three officials while the number of the participating teams from Ghana, Niger Republic and Benin Republic were not given as at following their ongoing registration for the games.
Meanwhile the city of Zaria was agog on Friday as the participating teams visited the sports complex situated inside Ahmadu Bello University as enthusiasts welcome them to the centre with applause which the athletes responded to.
Speaking on the competition, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Technical Director Mr. Sunday Adeleye said that they were still expecting other countries who declare their interest in participating in the West African Competition for the 16 countries in the region.
Mr. Adeleye said the competition which would have started on Friday morning with the mini marathon event could not hold because of the delay in the arrival of most of the participating teams.
The Technical Director noted that the Nigerian athletes will excel in the competition as it is a perquisite for the qualification for the Tokyo Olympics billed to commence in July.
He expressed optimism that with the preparation put in place by the Engr. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau led executive council of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) the athletes will go all out to do themselves proud as well as put the nation in the top most position in the sub-regional competition.
The competition is for the nations under 20 and senior athletes and to end on Sunday.
