Abeokuta 2025: Yussuf Alli charges Team Nigeria as CAA Championships begins Wednesday

 Nigeria’s Long jump record holder and Olympian, Yussuf Alli, has charged Team Nigeria athletes to maintain a strong and positive mental strength as the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), U-18/U-20 Championships begins in Abeokuta.

Alli, who disclosed this during the AFN unveiling ceremony of Team Nigeria athletes and kits, noted that the athletes have to perform in the CAA U-18 and U-20 Championships to make their mark for the future.

“You are in this competition to make your mark and move forward with good results and not essentially to win,” the head of elite athletes in the National Sports Commission said.

Alli went on the explain that, “Winning will come, but first push yourself at this level to the next level, that’s how we all grew.”

The former Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission insisted that the CAA U-18/U-20 Championships came at such a time when the National Sports Festival, the United States Collegiate Athletics season just ended, and this would assist Team Nigeria athletes to excel.

Team Nigeria athletes and kits were unveiled in Abeokuta on Tuesday, as a total of 92 athletes would be representing Nigeria in the CAA U-18 and U-20 Championships.

The AFN president, Tonobok Okowa, in his brief address, charged athletes to seize the opportunity the competition had provided to excel.

He reiterated that the Federation, National Sports Commission (NSC) and government have provided a golden opportunity for them to succeed.

“I charge you to go out there and make Nigeria proud”

Meanwhile, the stage is set for the 3rd edition of the CAA U18/U20 African Athletics Championship as 35 African countries have now landed in Nigeria, gearing up for the continental showdown in Abeokuta.

The latest contingents, Algeria and Morocco, touched down on Monday night, joining a star-studded roster of nations ready to compete.

The Championship will take place at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta, from July 16 to 20, 2025. With just one day to go, excitement is building across the city as delegations from countries like South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana, and Egypt settle in for what promises to be a thrilling display of youth athletics.

Nigeria, as host, has put all structures in place to deliver a world-class competition, with security, protocol, transportation, and accommodation measures fully activated for the athletes and officials.

The host city has been bubbling with energy, as cultural troupes continue to deliver vibrant displays of Nigeria’s rich heritage. North African delegations, amongst others, have shown great excitement, with many joining in the traditional dances to soak up the fun and atmosphere.

Also, the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) held its congress meeting at the Confluence Hotel, where key deliberations were made on the future of African athletics.

The session was led by CAA president Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, with discussions focused on reforms, sustainability, and advancing the competitive edge of African athletes globally.

The Congress forms a strategic part of the championship.