Shehu Gusau,There are indications that Nigeria will be the first African country to host the 2025 International Athletics Federation (IAAF) Championship competition.
The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Shehu Gusau, who dropped this hint today, Saturday at a press conference in Asaba, capital of Delta State, said that already the IAAF President, Sebastian Coe, had given such indication when he arrived in Asaba today to witness the 2018 African Senior Athletics Championships.
He quoted the IAAF President as that the world body was working to ensure that Africa hosted their first World Championships in 2025, saying that African continent would be awarded the rights to host the world in 2025.
Shehu Gusau commended the Delta State government for hosting the African Championships thereby rescuing Nigeria from embarrassment after Lagos failed to concretize plans for hosting after being awarded the rights.
“I want to thank the Delta State government for putting this together and making sure that it succeeded despite the challenges faced. Every competition comes with its own ups and downs and this is no different but we must pick the positives which have been more than the negatives.
“The Delta State government saved Nigeria after there was a mix up following the award of the rights to another state. Delta with this competition has created a conscious effort to instill an athletics culture in the youth with the hosting of this competition.
“We are however announcing that Nigeria will be bidding to host the 2025 World Championships. The IAAF president Lord Seb Coe when he was leaving was convinced that Africa could host the competition in 2025.
“Six host countries were identified and I as well as the AFN board members have told the sports minister that it will be a bold step for the country. I am happy to say that we are bidding to host the World Championships in Abuja in 2025.
“Abuja Stadium will be renovated very soon and there is a new railway system while hotels are not problems. We believe that by 2025 Nigeria will be ready to host the world if we are able to put this together and host Africa in Asaba in 2018.”
