Olumide, who stated this in an interview with our Regional correspondent in Calabar also commended the Government and people of Cross River for their supportive role in past years since playing host to the championship.
“It has been a wonderful experience in the 2014 Cross River/All Nigeria Athletics Championship in Calabar. The athletes have put up better performances and that is what we expected.
“ The preparation started since October and into January this year to build them up for the 2014 season.
“By and large we are happy with their performance most importantly the junior athletes that will represent the country in the world championship.
“The whole state was agog during this championship and we will like to express our thanks to Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River and the people of Cross River who have been our host for the past years.
“We are looking forward now to the Commonwealth Games. These are all preparatory to the Commonwealth games in the hope that the athletes will bring us medals,’’ he said
New champions emerged as Delta State dominated men’s and women’s 100m and 200m events respectively.
With top-three finish in the male 100m from Delta, Mark Jelks raced to his maiden national title with a time of 10.23secs while Mozavous Arkezes Edwards took silver (10.39) and defending champion, Ogho-Oghene Egwero took silver in 10.23secs.
Three-time former champion, Obinna Metu was relegated to fifth position with a time of 10.51secs while Blessing Okagbare also of delta won the female 100m and 200m respectively.
The reigning Commonwealth and African champion, Tosin Oke beat Olumide Olamigoke to secure the top spot in the men’s triple jump.
Oke claimed his fifth national title with a leap of 17.21m and Olamigoke won silver with 16.62m. Olajide Abiola was third with a jump of 16.15m.
Oke, who said he is keen on retaining the Commonwealth and African crowns in Glasgow and Marrakech respectively, added that he will not relent in his quest to improve with each competition.
In the women’s category, Melbourne 2006 silver medalist, Otonye Iworima finished third (13.11m) behind Blessing Ibrahim who won the title with 13.45m, and Otuorah Mary Emiata (13.29m).
Stephen Mozia won the men’s shot put with a throw of 18.14m leading by almost one meter as Nwoye Augustine and Eke Onwuka Kalu followed with 17.25m and 16.79m respectively.
Nicole Denby returned a time of 13.39secs to win the 100m Hurdles for the first time while defending champion, Ugonna Ndu followed closely in 13.57secs. Amaka Ogoegbunam took bronze with 13.71secs.
A first timer, Tyron Akins coasted to victory in the 110m Hurdles Men Final in 13.66secs, leaving Alex Al-Ameen (13.75) and Martins Ogieriakhi (13.93) in second and third positions respectively. Okon Samuel Etim trailed in fourth place with a time of 14.09secs.
