From Track to Giving Back: Godfred, Emeka Splash ₦700k On Athletic Heat Anniversary Meet

By Sule Wakili 

Two Nigerian field event stars based in the US are giving back to the sport that made them.

African U-20 and national long jump champion Charles Godfred and NCAA All-American thrower Ugwu Emeka have jointly committed ₦700,000 to sponsor field events at the Athletic Heat 10th Anniversary Meet.

Godfred, who competes for the University of Minnesota, is putting ₦500,000 on his specialty - the men's long jump. The prize will be spread across the top eight jumpers.

Emeka, a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, is staking ₦200,000 on the men's hammer throw, which will now be called the Ugwu Emeka Hammer Throw. The top four throwers will share ₦100,000, ₦50,000, ₦30,000 and ₦20,000 respectively.

Both athletes say it is about more than money.

"The long jump transformed my life. It gave me purpose and opened doors I never imagined," Godfred said.

For Emeka, who is primarily a shot putter, sponsoring hammer throw is a deliberate push to shine light on neglected throwing events in Nigeria.

Athletic Heat CEO Ese Oguma hailed the gesture, saying it will incentivize athletes and give field events the recognition they deserve.

The meet, marking 10 years of Athletic Heat, holds on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex, Lagos - a final tune-up for athletes ahead of the National Sports Festival.

Registration is ongoing via A3 Tickets, according to a statement by AFN Media Committee Chairman, Maxwell Kumoye.