By Folusho Alade

Ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Yokyo Japan, the Nigeria Shooting Sports Federation NSSF is set to begin trials for shooters in preparation for the forthcoming Africa Shooting Sports Championship, ASSC, Bestcjoocesports.com.ng can report

Speaking to Journalists in Abuja, NSSF President, Brig. General Lonsdale Adeoye rtd. said the trials will help select shooters that would represent Nigeria at the ASSC between 17-26 November, 2019

Adeoye said the Africa Championship would not just be a convergence of professional shooters from across Africa but would also serve as an avenue for Nigeria to pick Olympoc Qualifications for its athletes towards the 2020 Tokyo games

Adeoye further said some Nigerian shooters who missed the minimum Olympics qualifying marks in the past will have the opportunity to participate in the trial

According to him “We have veteran athletes and young shooters already in Abuja for the camping trials which begins on Thursday 7 November 2019.

“The trials will have serving and retired officers from the Nigerian army, navy, airforce, police and the department of state services alongside civilian shooters.

“Veteran shooters who missed the minimum Olympic qualification (MOQ) marks by between 1-5 points would have the opportunity to make these points in the ASSC in Algeria and qualify to represent Nigeria at next year’sTokyo Olympics.

“Young shooters and newly discovered shooters would also have the opportunity to take a shot at the Olympic tickets if they make it to Algeria

“It is not only the armed forces affairs but a battle of marksmen and women, young and Old” he said.

The NSSF President added that the liles of Major General JG Hamakin rtd., Warrant Officer, Barau Waziri amd Corporal Yetunde Olabode rtd. all from the Nigeria army will participate in the trials.

The Nigeria navy will be represented by Ada Ikevude while the airforce will have Master Warrant Officer, Madu Abdul.

Shooters from the Department of State Services including Atabo Sunday, Kingsley Okereke, Adewunmi Charles and Nora Ekpeyong would vie for honours.

The Nigeria Police will be represented by Raman Adisa, Fatima Muhammed, amongst others.

From the Nigeria Correctional Services (formerly Nigeria Prison Services), Indian trained Shooter, Habiba Sule will lead a team which also include Adagiri Jones.

The Security and Civil Defence Corp will be represented by Faleye Abraham, Gbemisola Seun, Ojurayo Sheriff Adegoke and Kayode Lawal.

The Civilian Shooters expected to take part in the 3-DAY trials are Tunde Akintimehin, Lagos; Okposo Esubo and Kate Otiti both from Delta State and Adaeze Princess.

Young and upcoming shooters including the revelations of the last National Youth Games in Ilorin Kwara State will also be attending.

It was also gathered that shooters such as Oyegbade, Adeoye Tiwalade, Azagba Emmanuel, Faderemi Daniel will be competing in the male junior category while the likes of Toriola Oluwakemi, Onome Precious, Sanusi Mariam, and Logunleko Oreoluwa will participate in the junior female category.

The trials are expected to take place at the Shooting Range of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja from 7th to 9th November 2019.

The Honourable Minister of Youths and Sports development, Sunday Dare will be the guest of honour.