New kid on the block in Nigeria athletics, Ariike Elijah, has said she decided to come and compete for Nigeria because she wants to be part of the history about to be created in the country’s athletics.
The US-based athlete born to Nigerian parents said she can see that the country is already moving towards another era of greatness and she wants to be part of the journey.
“Nigeria is my home, my country even though I am based in America, I believe Nigeria is where I wanna be, both the culture, the people, I felt I could relate more,” she said.
“Also, I just want to be part of that great journey because athletics in Nigeria is witnessing a rise and I really want to be part of that growth.
“I know there was a time in the 90s when the country was really good and I think that time is coming back and even better than the achievements of those years.”
With Personal Best of 23.50secs achieved this year at the Univ. of Arizona Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, AZ (USA), Elijah said it has been a great moment for her since arriving in Nigeria.
According to her, while coming to Nigeria she heard a lot concerning the relationship between foreign-based and home-based athletes, she however met a different scenario on arrival in camp.
She added: “Everyone seems very nice, before coming I heard a few things, I won’t lie, that I should beware, something like the home-based athletes don’t like the foreign-based athletes but I can bet you, it was a different scenario when I arrived here.
“I haven’t experienced anything like negative energy, everyone has been sweet and nice, even when you need help and you don’t know how to go about it, someone will already be there to help even when you didn’t ask.”
She said she is looking forward to making Team Nigeria U-20 team to the World Junior Championship in Cali, Colombia, from August 1 to 6.
