Okagbare dedicates London feat to Uduaghan

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

After the Olympic trials in Calabar and  Africa’s Championships in Benin Republic Blessing Okagbare moved to Delta State to use one of their many facilities to continue preparation for the Olympic Games. But,  in the main,  she trained for the Samsung Diamond League in Crystal Palace Saturday.

Blessing trained in Oghara since returning from Port Novo. And Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan supported her with some funding, the same way he had done to other Olympic bound athletes from Delta State.

And for his continued fatherly support Blessing dedicated her feat in London on Saturday when she caused an upset, beating the best in the world to win the 100m event in 11.01 seconds.

The pack included Olympic champion and the fastest woman this year Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica, the reigning world champion Carmelita Jeter who came second in 11.03 seconds. Tianna Madison was third in 11.13 as Fraser-Pryce had stumbled on leaving the blocks and never recovered. Delta sports boss, Amaju Pinnick said this about the London race:

“I spoke with Blessing after the race and she dedicated her victory to our governor who has been of tremendous support to her and the Nigerian team in particular because he has done a lot for the Delta athletes going to the Olympics and you know that more than half of the athletes are from Delta. Blessing trained in Oghara and only left two days before the race in London.

She has been so delighted and grateful for the assistance from Governor Uduaghan and has dedicated the London feat to him. Blessing is a serving civil servant in Delta. All our athletes are so employed.”