According to a statement
issued by Olukayode Thomas, the Head of Media and Publicity for CAA Asaba
2018, Maria Mutola will be leading the cast of world sporting figures that
would be arriving in Asaba this weekend.
Mutola was a former African
and world champion in the 800m and was fondly referred to as ‘Mutola Express’
during her active days on the track.
Also coming in to Asaba on
Sunday is the IAAF President, Sebastian Coe who will be coming in with as much
as 11 officials of the world athletics governing body.
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| Sebastian Coe |
The other expected sporting
legends in Asaba also include Nawal El Moutawakel a former hurdler and Olympic
Gold medalist as well as Kenya’s David Rudisha and Hicham El Guerrouj among
many others.
Also, those to be inducted
into the CAA Hall of fame will arrive this weekend.
The impressive list has the
likes of Tirunesh Dibaba, from Ethiopia and her compatriot, Mesert Defar.
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| Dibaba and Defar |
Other Ethiopians on the list
include Genzebe Dibaba, a world record holder and champion; Almaz Ayana, an
Olympics and World Champion; and Kenenisa Bekele, a legend in long distance,
road races and marathon and world record holder.
The South African duo of
Caster Semenya and Wayde van Niekerk, both Olympics and World Champions, will
also be inducted alongside Nigeria’s Olusoji Fasuba and Blessing Okagbare among
others.
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| Okagbare and Semenya |
In a related development, It
has also been confirmed that top football administrators will also be in Asaba
to savour the best of African athletics that will be showcased from August 1-5
at the newly completed Stephen Keshi Stadium.
Former Confederation of
African Football President, Issa Hayatou and his wife will be in for the
African Championships.
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| Issa Hayatou with wife |
Hayatou’s successor in CAF,
Ahmad Ahmad will also be in town for CAA Asaba 2018.
Both Hayatou and Ahmad are
guests of the Confederation of African Athletics, CAA.
Thomas said all the eminent
sporting personalities coming in on Sunday will be around till the end of the
African Championships.
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