The Femi Seun Ogunode Foundation (FSO) has brought its talent-discovering and promoting initiative, FSO Athletics Challenge 2024, to Abuja.
The foundation initiative has previously been hosted in Lagos and Ondo States with the primary aim of promoting sports development in Nigeria by discovering and grooming the next generation of athletics champions and giving young aspiring athletes the needed opportunities to become world champions.
Ogunode, a Nigerian-born sprint athlete who competes internationally for Qatar since 2010 and who himself is a World Athletics Champion, is the brain behind the initiative, FSO Athletics Challenge 2024.
The FSO Athletics Challenge 2024 had athletes competing in events such as:
– 100m Men and Women
– 400m Men and Women
– 800m Men and Women
– 1500m Men and Women
– Long jump for Men only
– School relays for Boys and Girls
The annual event, which started in 2015, was hosted for the first time in the FCT inside the main bowl of the MKO Abiola International Stadium Abuja on the 11th of October, 2024.
Ogunode, President of the Femi Seun Ogunode Foundation, qualified three times to run for Nigeria on the international stage at the time. He was the fastest young athlete in Nigeria but was denied the opportunity until he got the chance to leave the country and represent Qatar.
“I have come home to give back to the society where I was born and started my career as a runner. Remembering the suffering, where there was no water or food after training, even without kits. And overcoming these challenges to succeed, I felt it important to come back to help the young ones who are looking up to becoming an elite athlete like me.
“My mission is to help as many outstanding talents as can be discovered through this foundation. Providing for these talent opportunities that are not available here or that might have been denied.
“The best in this FSO Athletics Challenge 2024 will be given full scholarships to the United States of America to continue their careers in athletics, exposing them to better facilities, training, and consistent competing,” said Ogunode.
The young athletes, who came from all parts of the country, along with their coaches, families, and friends, did not disappoint in impressing the fastest man in Asia and officials, giving their best performances.
Miracle Eluebubube Ezechukwu delivered an outstanding performance to claim victory in the women’s 100m finals, setting a new personal best of 11.68s, surpassing her previous mark of 11.74s. Happy Rasheed secured the silver medal with a time of 12.21s, while Mary Laha took home the bronze in 12.50s.
ThankGod Igube emerged as the men’s 100m winner, claiming victory with a time of 10.72s. Favour Divine secured the silver medal with 10.94s, while Enoch Dabo took home the bronze with a clock of 10.97s. Comfort Sule dominated the women’s 400m finals, while Odeka Gerald dominated the Men’s 400m finals.
Ogunode, World Athletics Indoor Champion, was impressed and commended the young champions’ dedication and is poised to continue supporting the athletes, considering holding the challenge quarterly as opposed to the annual meeting.
“I hope governments can support this initiative. We need to encourage these young athletes so that we can ease their struggles.
“Through sports, we can alleviate poverty. If these athletes succeed, they can support their families, communities, and society, just as I am doing now,” Ogunode added.
The high point of the event was the presentation of awards and monetary rewards to the winners and runners-up, creating a scene of everybody being a champion.
