8.11.2026
Nigerian home-based athletes in recent times have been starved of competitions, but one athlete backed by other athletes is changing the narratives.
At the Yaba College of Technology at the weekend, the best of Nigerian athletes gathered for the Athletic Heat 10th anniversary meet and it was a thrilling outing even as the organisers were overwhelmed by the volume of entrance for the meeting. It was meant to run Saturday November 7, but it stretched to Sunday November 8.
Athletes came as far as from Gombe, Kaduna to be part of the meet. And the star athletes who graced the event were a delight to watch. One of such was Miracle Ezechukwu who made light work of the women in the 100m; she posted 11.21seconds. Tejiri Godwin claimed the accolades in the men’s 100m with a 10.35 seconds effort.
Iyanuoluwa Aderemi, the 17-year-old quartermiler taking the event by storm reminded athletics officials that she is one kid to watch out for as she posted 51.29 seconds in the women’s 400m. Gafar Badmus keeps growing his profile in the men’s 800m with time 1.53. 76 seconds. And on the field Kure Adams heaved 80.80m in the men’s javelin.
Speaking at the end of the event Athletic Heat CEO Ese Oguma noted that he was passionate about creating competitive opportunities for Nigerian athletes hence the need to go the extra mile to float the event, which has grown into a platform for celebrating athletic excellence.
“I really just wanted to give a platform for athletes to compete before the National Sports Festival. That was why I put this event in November. That was the idea,” he explained.
“First of all, I’m an athlete. So my own idea is just to celebrate athletes and put them on the world stage as much as I can,” he said.
He also challenged individuals and organisations with the resources to invest in sports development, stressing that meaningful contributions to society go beyond financial capacity and require the right mindset.
On the relationship with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), the founder described the federation’s support as encouraging and consistent, noting that official approval of the competition has been an important part of its development.
“Having this event, first of all, has to be approved by Athletics and also the event. So that alone was a great support for us, and I think that support is consistent,” he stated.