Yussuf Alli sees a bright future for men long jump in Nigeria

Renowned long jumper Yussuf Alli is feeling excited about the future of the event that gave him global fame and riches in Nigeria.

Alli, who is currently the Executive Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission said the event is set to return to the good old days when we had many jumpers jumping over 8.00m.

At the Olympics Trial at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City, there was a fierce contest among Charles Godfred, Goodness Iredia, and Emma Njoku battled to achieve the Olympics qualifying standard of 8.27m.

Though they didn’t meet the target, their performance left everyone watching in awe.

Godfred, a former junior athlete at African Championships in Ndola, Zambia leapt 8.16m, while Iredia and Njoku tied at 8.00m all personal bests for the jumpers.

Alli who is the national record holder in the event and a former Commonwealth Champion said he was super excited.

“This is the first time in almost 15 years we have any Nigerian jumper making an 8m jump. Not one but three and it was achieved in Benin City.

“The last time we had a jumper doing 8m was Stanley Gbagbeke and that was in Calabar many years ago,” said Alli

“Things are beginning to look like back in the 1980s where we have four jumpers doing 8m. If these boys can focus on training Godfred can achieve 8.2m in the next few years.

“We also have athletes coming up in the hurdles and throws. It is time now we need to manage our track and field so well considering the number of talents we see coming up.”