Emmanuel Bamidele was set to compete at the 2018 Commonwealth Games for Nigeria but is set to choose Qatar
Emmanuel Bamidele has reportedly dumped Nigeria for Qatar at the upcoming 2018 Commonwealth games.
According to a report on Busy Buddies the 400meters runner has chosen to represent Qatar, despite a record breaking showing at the trials for the Commonwealth Games held recently in Abuja.
Bamidele shattered his personal best twice at the Commonwealth Games in Abuja.
He ran 45.85s in the semi-finals and then ran 45.28s to win the event ahead of colleagues Orukpe Erayokan who finished 2nd in 46.40s, and Isah Salihu who finished 3rd in 46.56s.
Bamidele’s time in the final (45.28s) is the world leading time of 2018.
After his achievements in the trials, he has been reportedly approached to switch his international citizenship to the oil rich producing Qatar.
The report says he is missing from the camp site for the Commonwealth Games, and his whereabout unknown.
He joins Femi and Tosin Ogunode who previously represented Qatar, other athletes who have dumped Nigeria include Francis Obikwelu, Abiodun Oyepitan, Margaret Adeoye and so on.
The 2018 Commonwealth Games is scheduled to take place in Gold Coast, Australia from Wednesday, April 4 to Sunday, April 15.