No fewer than 421 athletes from421 African Athletes to Storm Warri for Athletic Youths Champions 32 countries have so far confirmed their participation in the maiden African Athletics Youth Championships holding in Warri, Delta State from March 27 to 31.
The events are open to athletes who are under-17 as at December 31, 2013, the Athletic Federation of Nigeria has said.
Some of the countries that have registered include South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Ethiopia and Algeria. Hosts, Nigeria, have the highest number of entry with 80 athletes, while Ethiopia have the second largest delegation with 42 athletes.
South Africa are coming with 30 athletes, while Cape Verde, Guinea, Zimbabwe and the Comoros Islands have two athletes each representing them.
AFN secretary-general Maria Wophil said on Wednesday that more countries were still expected to register for the Championships.
“Our estimate is that about 500 athletes will be in Warri. This is huge. We are still expecting more entries as the registration closes on March 4,” she said.
Delta State Sports Commission Chairman and head of the Local Organising Committee, Mr. Pinnick Amaju, said the state is working hard to ensure a successful hosting of the championships.
He added that it will be one of best organised athletics events the continent has ever witnessed.
The CAA, during an inspection visit to Warri had urged Delta State to set a standard in the hosting of the maiden AYC.
While inaugurating the LOC, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan urged the committee to make a good show of hosting the championships. He stated that during the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2009, Warri was denied the opportunity of being one of the host cities because of “perceived security fears”.
“ We want to use the AYC to show the world that Warri is a perfectly safe city to visit,” Uduaghan had said.