Okagbare pledges to put Nigeria first, denies rift with AFN

Nigerian sprint sensation, Blessing Okagbare, has pledged to always put Nigeria’s interest upper most in her mind.
Okagbare said this in Brazzaville on Tuesday after leading Team Nigeria 4×100 metres relay to winning gold at the ongoing 11th African Games in Brazzaville.
“Sometimes things don’t go as planned but, as a patriotic Nigerian, I always put the interest of Nigeria uppermost in my mind.
“I will always do my best for my country,” the Commonwealth gold medalist said.
She, however, debunked rumour of having rift with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
“It is not true that I have rift with AFN; the stories are figments of the imagination of a section of the media.
“I had an understanding with the federation that I will only compete in the 4×100; I’m here for the race and a gold medal is won in the race. Mission accomplished,” Okagbare said.
Okagbare pulled out of the 200m events in the last IAAF World Championship in Beijing after finishing last in the 100m finals.
Initial reports suggested that she would not be part of the ongoing Games in Brazzaville.
Team Nigeria, led by Okagbare, won the 4×100 metres relay events in 43.11 sec., the male team was, however, disqualified for baton exchange outside the restricted area line.
In the javelin event, female category, Nigerian Kelechi Nwanaga threw a distance of 52.70m to win the gold medal.
Mery Zuta of Ghana, with her distance throw of 50.93m, won the silver.