Fasuba lauds new African sprints king Simbine

Former African record holder Olusoji Fasuba has lauded Akani Simbine after the South African shattered the Nigerian’s 15-year men’s 100m African record on Tuesday.

Simbine ran 9.84secs to win at the World Athletics Continental Tour in Hungary, taking one hundredth seconds off Fasuba’s previous record of 9.85secs set in 2006 in Doha, Qatar.

Speaking with our correspondent, Fasuba said Simbine’s feat showed that sprints in Africa was moving forward after being stagnant for a long time.

He also said the South African, who has ran over 20 legal sub 10secs in his career, has the capabilities to run 9.7secs.

“I’m happy that Africa is finally moving forward after being stagnant for so long. I believe he still has a 9.7secs or faster in him,” Fasuba told The PUNCH.

He however lamented Nigeria’s losing dominance in sprint races in Africa.

According to him, a clearly planned athletics autonomy could help the country return to the summit of sprinting on the continent.

“There’s not much in terms of feelings because I know a Nigerian will one day change the narrative. All that Nigerians need is support.

“We lost our dominance because our leaders are not focused on our development. Come next Olympics, we probably will be in the same position we are in now. It’s been happening way before my time.

“The way forward might actually be autonomy, if we can have a clear plan and not the rushed one that came up,” Fasuba added.