Over 300 athletes from Kenya and 19 other countries stranded in Lagos

Over 300 athletes from Kenya and 19 other countries stranded in Lagos

The much anticipated 2018 African Senior Athletics Championships commence on August 1, but the events has been marred by lack of flights to airlift athletes to Asaba, the venue of the competition for this year.

No fewer than 300 athletes from Kenya and 19 other African countries are stranded at Lagos Airport due to unavailability of connecting flights to Asaba for the 2018 African Senior Athletics Championships.

The athletics events were billed to commence on Wednesday, August 1, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta state.

According to the organisers of the events, over 1500 from 52 African countries are expected to take part in the five day competition scheduled to end on August 5.

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However, the much anticipated competition has been marred by the poor transportation for athletes coming from around Africa.

Some of the participants have had to spend a number of days at the airport earnestly waiting for their connecting flight to their final destination but that has been fruitless.

Reports filtering the media space reveals that the 80-man Kenyan contingent have threatened to pull out of the events, saying they will have to return home if they fail to get connecting flight to Asaba.

According to CNN reporter Evelyn Watta, only a fraction of Team Kenya have landed in Delta adding that majority are still stranded in Lagos.

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"It is not sounding very good in Lagos. Tired and visibly upset team Kenya are now looking at options to fly back home ASAP if they can't fly to Asaba today for Athletics champs that kick off tomorrow morning. Apparently airport in Asaba is unlit so no flights can land at night.

"Only 22 Kenyan athletes have just landed in Asaba. The bulk of them that includes athletes who are scheduled to race in 10000m men, 800 men and 400m tomorrow are still holed up at the domestic lounge."

"By the way it's not only team Kenya stuck in Lagos there are at least 200 athletes from about 12 countries stuck there that include sprinters who are set to race in 100m sprints at 9am."

Expected at this year's events are South African stars Caster Semenya, men’s 400m world record holder Waydeva Niekerk, Akani Simbine and Carina Horn are among the top stars.

Meanwhile, the event’s Local Organising Committee however assured fans that the issue would be sorted before the competition begins, saying there would be 7am flights to transport the athletes from Lagos to Asaba.

Legit.ng previously reported that about 80 Nigerian fans were stranded in Russia following their inability to return home after Super Eagles ouster from Russia 2018 World Cup.

Mostly men, are seated on a blue mat in front of the country's embassy in the European country.

It was gathered that most of them claimed they came to Russia as volunteers but according to findings, they came to Moscow in search of greener pasture.

Russia 2018: Who Will Win The Match Between Nigeria and Argentina? - Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng

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