Oluwabusayo Olowookere
Reigning Africa U-18 triple jump championship holder Precious Irivi was a delight to watch as he did a jump of 15.16m in the triple jump event of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria Golden League which kicked off today inside the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City Edo State.
Speaking after overcoming other contestants, Precious Irivi called his victory today a special one.
“I feel very happy today because this is like my second time at a National event with the senior guys, the last time I did join them I finished second but today I finished top and that makes me feel happy and special”.
Precious who hails from the city of Warri in Delta state represented Nigeria at the Africa U18/19 Athletics Championship in Ndola Zambia and finished with a Gold medal and the current world ranking standard of 15.70m described the feat achieved as a result of respect to his fatherland and something he had worked hard for.
“Putting on the jersey of our darling country Nigeria was a big inspiration and for me putting it on was like a respect for everyone that is a Nigerian which also allowed me to focus on the goal despite all the fears of disappointment but my parent and coaches gave me the confidence and I took the opportunity and today I am holding the current world lead ranking in Triple Jump”.
He, therefore, praised the current board of the AFN led by Chief Tonobok Okowa to not slack back but do more for the future stars.
“ I must commend the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria Chief Tonobok Okowa and his board members for ensuring that we have events and tournaments to go for that alone is a super plus to them but like Oliver Twist that we are, we want to appeal to them not to slack back at all because men can`t crown someone effort only God does”.
The AFN Golden League in Benin will be rounded up by tomorrow evening.
