The who-is-who in African sports and beyond will be arriving in Asaba, Delta State, on Sunday for the 21st African Senior Athletics Championships.
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 ‘Maputo 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 many as 11 officials of the world athletics governing body.
The other expected sporting legends in Asaba also include Nawal El Moutawakel, a former hurdler and Olympic GOLD medallist as well as Kenya’s David Rudisha and Hicham El Guerrouj.
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. 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 the long distances, road races and Marathons and WR 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 amongst others.