Athletes are expected to compete in 16 events which includes, the 100m 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 100mh, 400mh and 5000m. Others include triple jump, shot put, 4x100m and 4x400m relays.

The hottest among the events in the Solid Works Limited sponsored AFN Golden League has been the 100m, 400m and 4x100m relays which had so far kept fans on their toes at previous meetings.

Athletes have tagged the 4th leg as 'very important' for reasons bordering on the qualification for invitation to camp for the league final, the CAA Super Grand Prix in Warri and the National Trials in Calabar in June.

To this end, athletes are expected to approach the competition in Ilorin with the highest concentration as adverse weather conditions at previous events dimmed their efforts especially in Port Harcourt and Benin City where some of them were unable to compete owing to torrential rain.

Ilorin fans would witness a thrilling race, hoping that Peace Ukoh (11.25secs) in 100m women and Patience Okon (51.96secs) 400m women would re-enact their respective form at Ilorin. This is not leaving out Kemi Adekoya in 400mh women.

Adekoya defeated Bukola Abogunloko in the 400m event of the Port Harcourt leg a fortnight ago.

Also, Isah Salihu of the Nigeria Custom Services who has been running well in the quarter-mile this season is expected to meet tougher challenges from fellow compatriots, Godday James and Abiola Onakoya.

Meanwhile, AFN has emphasised that athletes winning cash prizes by placing first position in each event does not guarantee automatic invitation to camp. The federation insisted that meeting the standards set for each event is the only solution to being invited.

However, most athletes in the sprint events were lucky to achieve the standard in Benin last weekend with majority still hoping to have a go at it this weekend in Ilorin.