Osheku cautions AFN

Head coach of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Tony Osheku has warned the body ahead of the Athens 2004 Olympics.

Osheku informed Nigeriasports.com that the results posted by the country’s 4x400 meter relay team at a recent Qatar Grand Prix calls for caution ahead of the summer’s game.

“Although it is too early to start bothering our heads over the result but I am just curious about our preparations towards Athens” he told Nigeriasports.com

“Only three countries participated in the 4x400M, and Saudi Arabia won with a time of 3:05.04, Nigeria 2nd: 3:06.10 and Qatar placed 3rd: with 3:12.29” he noted

According to Osheku it was a disappointing race for Nigeria and Africa.

“That our 4x4 team ran 3:04.49 to win a silver medal at the last All Africa Games says it all. I'm not that impressed with the 3:06.10 they ran today in Qatar.”

“Well, Musa Audu who was in the 400 metres final at All Africa Games last year did not go to Qatar with them but at the same time, they are Nigerians and will be representing us in Athens” he added.

Meanwhile, in the Men's 100 metres USA picked up all the top medals.

“Shawn Crawford (USA) won with a time of 9.86, 2nd: Justin Gatlin (USA) 9.95, 3rd: Marcus Brunson (USA) 9.96, 4th: Francis Obikwelu(POR) 9.97, 5th: Uche Emedolu 9.99 and 6th: Deji Aliu 10.18. Mind you the wind was (+2.6). Both Crawford and Gatlin train under the same coach (W Graham) a Jamaican who used to train Marion Jones and Tim Montgomery” Osheku explained.

The America based Osheku however noted that keeping athletes at a training camp will not aid them instead competing at events would assist them positively.

“I understand the system is for good development of the athletes [Keeping the athletes in camp] but even the Americans believe competing would help their athletes and they are supporting them with all they’ve got”

“I hope we can start pruning down on Athens because other nations are doing that already” he concluded