The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the 21st African Senior Athletics Championship, Solomon Ogba has given assurances that Asaba 2018 will not only live up to expectations but will surpass previous events hosted on the continent,National Daily learnt.
The LOC boss said though they are a few places still being perfected, all will be ready ahead of the August 1 opening ceremony at the Gov. Okowa Main Bowl at the newly completed Stephen Keshi Stadium
He said: This is a record-breaking championship because we have exceeded all the benchmarks given.
“We have like 52 countries, 48 of which were around for the DRM. About 90% of the athletes expected are already in the country and we have a record number of foreign journalists who have come to cover this championship”.
Head of media and publicity, Olukayode Thomas, told National Daily that some of the innovations in place to make CAA Asaba 2018 a success.
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“We are very happy with the cooperation we have received from the journalists; the IAAF and the CAA will be running training for the media practitioners and we are happy about that.
On his part, CAA President Hamad Kalkaba Malboum admitted that he is surprised with Asaba has put in place to host the continent; adding that best of African athletics will be on parade from August 1-5.
“I visited the stadium (Stephen Keshi) several months ago but I never thought it could host a championship of this magnitude. We express our profound gratitude to the Delta state governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
“I also met the Sports minister, Solomon Dalung who told me the Federal Government will also support this event, so we are grateful to the President of the country.
“The best athletes of Africa are already here, and we are going to select a strong team for the Intercontinental Cup that would be competing against the rest of the world.