Umukoro Focuses on Delta Sprint Victory

Success Umukoro, Nigeria’s standout sprinter and 2023 NJCAA 100m outdoor titleholder, has her eyes firmly fixed on securing gold for Delta State at the 2024 National Sports Festival, According to PUNCH Sports Extra.

Track and field events at the 22nd edition of the festival are scheduled to commence on Friday at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, drawing elite Nigerian athletes eager to reach the podium.

Umukoro, entered in the women’s 100m sprint, is widely tipped as one of the top contenders for the gold medal in her event.

“I’m just here to do what I need to do and leave the rest for God,” Umukoro told our correspondent.

“I put in the work every time, so I believe I will do good. There is no pressure to deliver at all. The projection is to give Delta the gold in my event, and I trust others to get the gold as well.”

Umukoro currently ranks fourth among Nigerian female sprinters this year, following a remarkable 11.25-second finish at the West Texas A&M University Track & Soccer Complex in April.

The three athletes ahead of her in the national standings are Favour Ofili (10.99s), Tima Godbless (11.06s), and Olayinka Olajide (11.15s).

Back in February, she impressed with a 7.13-second run to win the women’s 60m at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic, briefly leading the national charts before being surpassed by Godbless (7.08s) and Joy Udo-Gabriel (7.11s).

The ongoing sports festival features around 10,000 competitors aiming for a share of the 2,150 medals available across 549 sporting contests.

Celebrated as Nigeria’s version of the Olympics, the 2024 edition is shaping up to be the grandest yet, with 626 gold, 626 silver, and 898 bronze medals awaiting winners.

A key highlight of this year’s edition is the introduction of the Invited Junior Athletes category, offering up-and-coming sports stars the opportunity to compete alongside established names and gain national exposure.