Nigeria prepares 37 kids for the Youth Olympics in Singapore

The Nigerian Athletics Federation (AFN) has invited 37 athletes to camp ahead of the 2010 Youth Olympic Games scheduled for August 14-26 in Singapore.The athletes are to report at the Oghara Township Stadium today - March 14, 2010 and from there depart for the camp in Mosogar, a nearby town along the Benin-Sapele express way in Delta State to begin their preparations towards the Games.

The youngsters are to be trained by seven coaches including former women 400m hurdles champion, Maria Osifo and Gabriel Opuana, a former national hammer record holder.

AFN secretary-general, Maria Wophill said: "Everything is on ground to have a good training ahead of the Games.

"The athletes were selected after the Nkoyo Ibori championships last week in Oghara. The AFN will ensure that they are adequately prepared for the Youth Olympics.

"We are presenting the team at the CAA region two youth championship in Dakar, Senegal in May to put them in a competitive mood," said Wophill.

The athletes selected include:

Short sprints (100m/200m)

• Nkiru Uwakwe
• Isoken Igbinosu
• Hope Jacob
• Harry Chukwudi
• Quadri Abiodun
• Ifioku Andrew
• Emobunovie Mamus

400m

• Isa Umar
• Akpa Udon
• Sunday Mmaju
• Okeudo Jonathan
• Hope Jacob
• Rita Osai

Middle/Long Distances (800m/1500m/3000m/5000m)

• Abiye David
• Agber Shimenenge
• Muyibat Ogunkoya
• Ogunseye Goke
• Urukpe Erayokan
• Bamgbala Rahmon
• Bukola Pereira
• Agidi Yemi
• Emmanuel Gyang.

Field events (Shot Put, Discus, Javelin, Jumps)

• Adewale Bukola
• Bridget Terhemba
• Nana Tanya Aina
• Nwoye Ifeanyi Augustine
• Solomon Igwebuieke

The International Olympic Committee floated the youth Olympics idea in 2001.

This year's competition will be the first ever Youth Olympic Games. It features athletes between the ages of 14 and 18 competing in 26 sports.