Female medallist seeks AFN’s recognition for international competitions

Blossom Akpedeye

Blossom Akpedeye, a 200m gold medallist in the youth category at the second Top Sprinter and Lagos Relays has urged the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to give her a chance to represent country.

15-year-old Akpedeye was disqualified at the 2016 Dr D.K. Olukoya U-18 Athletics Championships for being underage.

Akpedeye, who vowed to prove her mettle to get AFN’s recognition, won one gold and a bronze medal at the Top Sprinter events which held from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

In a report she says she hopes to be given a chance in 2017 to achieve her dream of being the next fastest Nigerian female athlete in the 100m and 200m.

“Hopefully, I pray that AFN notices me in 2017 and I promise to be one of the best youths in Nigerian athletics.

“I will not disappoint the country because this is my dream.

“I hope to be better than Blessing Okagbare but I can’t prove this if I am not given the opportunity,’’ she said.

Ighoruemu, Akpedeye’s father said he believed in his daughter’s talent and was ready to support her to any length to achieve her dreams.

“She is a talented athlete, all she needs is acceptance and exposure, my greatest dream for her is to be like Okagbare or even surpass Okagbare’s record.

“Parents should also not hesitate to help their children to actualize their dreams, especially if it is a good one. I am ready to support mine,’’ he said.

NAN reports that Top Sprinter and Lagos Relays were initiated last year by “Making of Champions’’, a Lagos-based athletics consulting firm to discover and groom talents for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.

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