Yussuf Amuda Alli, chief executive officer of elites athletes development and performance board, has clarified why Nigeria will present a lean squad at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Speaking at the weekend, Yusuf Alli stressed that the era of “jamboree” trips to global events with large contingents that add no real value to Team Nigeria is over.
According to the CEO , the National Sports Commission has mandated the Performance Board to focus on athletes who can make immediate impact while also grooming future medal hopefuls.
“All athletes listed fall into two categories,” Alli explained. “Those with rankings and performances this season that give them a strong chance of reaching the finals because once you get the finals, anything can happen.”
“Then there are young athletes with immense potential, who need exposure to top-level competitions before massive crowds. This is a long-term investment in Nigeria’s sporting future.”
“To illustrate, Alli recalled how his participation in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, though medal hopes were slim, shaped his career. “Competing in front of such huge crowds gave me the confidence I needed.”
‘Three years later, I became a world champion in Canada. That experience was invaluable,” he said.
Nigeria’s squad to Tokyo is headlined by world record holder and 100m hurdles star Tobi Amusan, who has maintained fine form this season.
She is joined by shot put specialist Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, 400m hurdles rising star Ezekiel Nathaniel, and long jump ace Ese Brume, the African record holder with a personal best of 7.17m.
Other athletes listed include: Samuel Ogazi (400m), Kayinsola Ajayi (100m), Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons (discus), Prestina Ochonogor (long jump), Obiageri Amaechi (discus), Charles Godfred (long jump), Rosemary Chukwuma (100m), Oyesade Olatoye (hammer), Israel S. Okon (100m), and Chidi Okezie (400m).
The World Championships are scheduled for September 13 to 21, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan.
