By MFON PATRICK
Two Akwa Ibom U-18 female athletes Ability Udoh and Maria-Patience Akpan are on their way to international Para Athletics championships in Morocco and South Africa slated for this month.
National Youth Games 100m record holder Ability Udoh is scheduled to compete in 100m, 200m and 400m as well as in Long and High Jump T-46 events in Para Athletics championships in Morocco from 5-14 March 2023. The competition will also serve as the qualifiers for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France.
Ability Udoh made history at the just concluded National Sports Festival in Delta State where she set a new national record in the High Jump event, clearing a height of 1.45m to emerge the champion.
Also in 2022 at the Para Athletics Games in Abuja, Ability stormed to victory winning three gold medals and three silver medals for Akwa Ibom State.
While Ability Udoh will be in Morocco, Maria-Patience Akpan who was discovered last year during an Inter-House Sports competition at Community Secondary Commercial School, Ibiaku Itam, will be making her debut at the international stage as she is scheduled to compete in 100m (CP) in the Commonwealth Youth Games in Cape Town, South Africa from 14-22 March, 2023.
Coach of the two athletes Elizabeth Akpan expressed optimism that the youngsters have what it takes to shine at the global stage but stressed that they need all the support they can get to ensure they succeed.
