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Tag: AFN

  • AFN Set  to amend 77 year-old constitution, unveil logo

    AFN Set  to amend 77 year-old constitution, unveil logo

     

    The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Engr. Ibrahim Gusau has stated that plans have been put in place to amend the body’s 77-year old constitution at the next congress slated for Abuja.

    Gusua told staging.thenationonlineng.net that there was need to adjust the constitution to accommodate new reforms that would see to the development of athletics in the country just as he revealed that the AFN  would unveil a new logo very soon.

    It could be recalled that in 1944, a representative group of interested persons called a meeting, the outcome of which was the formation of a Central Committee of the Amateur Athletic Association of Nigeria. Shortly thereafter, Constitution Laws were drafted largely on the Laws of the Amateur Athletic Association of Great Britain, but suitably revised and enlarged to suit local circumstances.

    Meanwhile, the Congress of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria will hold at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja from November 15 to 16, 2017. Delegates from the 36 States of the Country and the FCT are expected to attend as well as critical stakeholders.

    In the same vein Gusua also hammered on the need to attend to the grassroots. In his opinion, athletes from the grassroots would play a major role in the development of  athletics in the country.

    However,   the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has agreed to partner with AFN.

     

     

  • There Is No Crisis In AFN- Dare Esan

    There Is No Crisis In AFN- Dare Esan

    A member of the board of Athletics Federation of Nigeria(AFN),Dare Esan has debunked reports that the board is in crisis.

    Esan, a well travelled sports journalist with a big bias for athletics reporting and the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria representative on the board of the Federation insists there is no iota of truth in reports of crisis in both the conventional and social media.

    He said: “There is no crisis whatsoever in the federation.What rumour mongers are feeding fat on are mere figments of imaginations of the fabricators who are determined to ensure the board is discredited even before it sets out to work.”

    Esan also poured cold water on insinuations that the Federation President,Honourable Ibrahim Gusau wants to put square pegs in round holes.

    “I really don’t know where people got the information from that the AFN president plans to make the athletes’ representative the technical committee chairman.This is far from the truth because there were some elections that came with positions during the June 13 polls into the board of the federation in Abuja.

    The positions of technical committee,athletes representative and media representative on the board cannot be filled by just anybody.Sunday Adeleye was elected to represent the interest of the athletes on the board while Brown Ebewele was elected as the representative of the technical bodies of the federation viz the coaches and the technical officials which means he is the natural head of the technical committee of the AFN  while the position of  the head of media and communications in the Federation is also not negotiable.”

    Esan added: ” The AFN president is a responsible and reasonable person who knows about rules and regulations governing the administration of track a nd field in Nigeria.

    He knows that it is the board of the federation and not just an individual that will constitute its sub-committees.The code of governance booklet handed over by the Sports Ministry to all federations clearly states under aticle 9.1 that the board of each National Sports Federation shall constitute the committees listed below,and or any other sub-committees as it deems fit,to perform specific functions and make recommendations to the board.”

    Esan was also surprised about insinuations that the board plans to make a confirmed drugs cheat as the head of its youth sub-committee.

    “We are not fools in the federation.If Charity Opara,an Olympic silver medallist and the fastest 400m runner in the world in 1998 could be disqualified from contesting the AFN elections in June on account of her doping infractions in the past,we certainly will not shoot ourselves in the leg by endangering the lives of our youths by putting a drugs cheat to lead them.

    This is far from the truth and the AFN president is a reformist and has vowed to ensure tainted individuals are not allowed to pollute the federation.”
    The AFN media chief says allegation of hacking the Federation’s email and the e-mail sent by one of Nigeria’s greatest athletes in recent memory,Tosin Oke will be looked into by the Federation.

    He also revealed that allegation of kits scandal at the world championships in London where coaches duly accredited by the federation were not given NIKE  kits why others who had no business in London freely dorn the kits
    will also be looked into by the board at its next meeting.

    The allegation that two of the three Nigerian coaches accredited for the championships could not get passes into the warm-up area and had to rely on the magnanimity of the president of Ghana Athletics Federation,Francis Dodo
    who borrowed them those assigned to Ghana until their 4x100m relay teams arrive will also be looked into.

  • Nigeria names Okagbare, 12 others for IAAF World Relays

    The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has released a provisional list of 13 female athletes to represent the country at the International Association of Athletics Federations World Relays.

    The competition is scheduled to hold between Saturday and Sunday in Nassau, Bahamas.

    Those picked for the 4×100 metres are Blessing Okagbare, Dominique Duncan, Jennifer Madu, Mercy Ntia-Obong, Peace Uko and Stephanie Kalu.

    Patience Okon-George and Praise Idamadudu are to join Okagbare, Duncan, Madu and Ntia-Obong for the 4x200m.

    Okon-George will also compete in the 4x400m alongside Folashade Abugan, Jennifer Edobi, Margaret Bamgbose, Omolara Omotosho and Ugonna Ndu.

    At the 2015 edition Nigeria’s 4x200m women’s squad which comprised Okagbare, Duncan, Regina George and Christy Udoh won a gold medal.

    Based on the preliminary entry figures, more than 700 athletes from 42 countries have expressed interest in competing.

    This was unlike in the inaugural event in 2014 which had 576 athletes, and the 2015 edition which had 669 athletes.

    The 2017 programme will consist of five events over four relay disciplines.

    These are the 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m and 4x800m for both men and women, and a mixed 4x400m which will cap the competition’s second day.

    The top eight finishers in the 4x100m and 4x400m for both men and women will earn automatic entry for the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London.

    (NAN)

  • AFN All-Comers Meet: Obong runs seasons best in Port Harcourt

     

    Mercy Obong has emerged victorious in a  time of 11.70s in the women’s 100m race at the Athletics Federation of Nigeria(AFN), first official event on its calendar which was held at the High Performance Centre, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

    Obong clocked a Season’s Best (SB) of 11.70s to outshine Rashidat Lawal who ran a time of  11.81s, to emerge second  while Blessing Adiakherewa’s  time of  12.00s gave her the third position.

    In the same vein, Harry Chukwudike emerged the overall winner in the Men’s 100m with a time  10.48s, while Emmanuel Arowolo came in 2nd in 10.53s and Chukwudi Olisakwe 3rd in 10.58s.

    In the women’s 100m Hurdles  Grace Ayemoba raced first to the finish line in a time  14.27s, while in the 110m Hurdles, Precious Ojiekere ran the fastest time of all the heats, winning heat 3 in 14.06s.

    However in, the men’s 400m the winner of the race was decided by the fastest from the six  heats  in that category. Praise Idamadudu emerged  victorious  in 54.51s, in the women’s 400m event while . Tracy Idugboe finished 2nd in 57.82s .Comfort James clinched the third position  in  a time 58.63s.

    Timothy Emoghene  finished the  400m Hurdles first  after winning heat 2 in 53.78s to win with the overall best time. In  the women’s category Abasiono Akpan finished tops with a time of 63.96s.

    In the men’s 800m category, Edidiong Okon clinched the first position in a time  2:00.82, while Faith Monday finished 2nd in 2:04.55. Stanley Okpala  was 3rd in 2:06.86. However, in the female category, Chinonso Nwokeoji was the only female runner in her category. She finished in a time of 2:23.72 as a sole runner.

    The AFN All-Comers Meet is opened to athletes in the Senior, Junior and Youth categories.

  • AFN releases 2017 Athletics Calendar

    The Athletics Federation Nigeria(AFN)has released the 2017 calendar.The season will commence fully in April with the D.K Olukoya U-18 Championships, Mt. Sac and Penn Relays, AFN All-Comers Competition, and the IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas.

    The AFN Golden League will comprise of four legs and is scheduled to commence with the first meet in Abuja in May, while venues for subsequent legs of the competition are yet to be determined.

    The 16th edition of the IAAF World Championships has been slated for August in London while  the National Trials will be holding from July 6 to 8.

    Kenya will host the World U-18 Championships  from July 12 to 16. Incidentally, this will be the final edition of the championship, with international federations expected to focus more on continental championships in the near future.

    Meanwhile an election to herald the new AFN board has been slated for this year.

  • Javelin gold medallist decries state of equipment

    Pius Bazigbe, a gold medallist at the 1995 African Games Championships on Wednesday decried the type of Javelin equipment used at competitions in Nigeria.

    Bazigbe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from his Bayelsa base that the aerodynamic Javelins should be adopted because they added distance to athletes’ throw.

    “Javelin is an international sport that has been of importance since Athens Olympics, it is taken in high esteem in other countries.

    “Field events in Nigeria, especially Javelin have been abandoned. The Javelin we use in Nigeria is not aerodynamic. If we do not use the right equipment, the athletes will not improve.

    “Athletics in Nigeria needs to go back to the drawing board; I have told the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) board that aerodynamic Javelins go far but they haven’t listened,’’ he said.

    He also said that there was no reason for the AFN not to have selected Samuel Kure who threw 72.00m for the forthcoming Olympics, adding that he threw 74.00m last year.

    “Javelin throwers also need international experience; it should not just end at the continental level. Kure who won gold at the Golden League in Akure should have been selected.

    “We have talented throwers but when the Javelin used is not standard, what do you expect? Magic cannot happen,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that the Javelin throw Olympics qualification for men is 83.00m, while that of the women is 62.00m.

    He said that Kure should have been included in the Olympics, if not for medal but for exposure.

    NAN reports that Bazigbe represented the country at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

    Bazigbe set the current national record of 80.08 metres in 1999 and till date, no one has beaten the record.

  • AFN may hold trials in Warri

    AFN may hold trials in Warri

    The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) plans to shift the 2015 National Athletics trials to Warri, Delta as Cross River, the sponsors of previous four editions may have backed out of hosting the event this year.

    The Cross River Government has a subsisting sponsorship deal to host the event, being the last in their 5-year sponsorship deal.

    The Secretary-General of the AFN, Olumide Bamiduro told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the federation had to make an alternative arrangement, when Cross River was not forthcoming in providing funds to complete their five-year sponsorship deal.

    The Government had kept faith in meeting their sponsorship obligations over the last four editions of the trial at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

    According to Baminduro the AFN does not want to be caught napping since the event is an important fixture in the National athletics calendar.

    The 2015 edition of the CRS/AFN trials was scheduled to run from July 30 to Aug. 1 in Calabar.

    The secretary-general said: “It appears the sponsorship this year is gloomy. We have not heard anything from them, unlike the situation in the four previous editions.

    “They usually reach out to us at least a month to the event. We have a sponsorship agreement with them. We have written to them and even sent some representatives but we have yet to hear from them.

    “If they are not doing so this year it means the state government has reneged. Maybe the new government’s main focus is not on sports.

    “We are also aware that the government is not well disposed to do the 2015 edition of the Obudu International Mountain Race. They may have their reasons but that is rather unfortunate.

    “However, we still thank them for the previous sponsorship so far because it is not easy. In the interim we are looking elsewhere to stage the 69th edition.”

    He said the trials would hold this weekend because it is part of National trials for selection of athletes to the World Championship, scheduled for Beijing and the 11th All Africa Games to be staged in Congo, Brazzaville.

    “Because of the importance of this event in our athletics calendar, we must host it this weekend. All our foreign-based athletes have arrived to fight for slots in the team for the events.

    “That is why we are looking to host the event in Warri, Delta State. We have informed the National Sports Commission (NSC) about the development.

  • AFN begins camping of athletes in Port Harcourt

    AFN begins camping of athletes in Port Harcourt

    The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) High Performance Centre located inside the University of Port Harcourt will be like a bee hive from today as athletes and officials from all nooks and crannies of Nigeria gather to begin preparation for the Cali 2015 IAAF World Youth Championships in Columbia.

    AFN Technical Director Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama revealed that Prof Ken Anugweje, the Director of the Centre, has been appointed to coordinate the activities of the athletes in the camp. The athletes, who met IAAF qualify standard, are to report in camp. In the girl 100metres, Aniekeme Alphonsus  from Akwa-Ibom and Abolaji Omotayo Oluwaseun from Kwara are to report in camp.

    In the girls 200 and 400 metres the following are invited Idamadudu Praise of Delta, Aniekeme Alphonsus of Akwa-Ibom and Adiakerenwa Blessing of Delta State.

    In the field events and race walk, the following girls are invited triple Jump Uche Brown of Abia State, and race walker Olude Fadakemi Florence from Ogun State. The following boys made the team. In the boys 100 metres Idjesa Uruemu of Global Athletics Club and Nwokocha Tobechukwu of Delta State. In the boys 200 and 400 metres the following are invited Itsekiri Usheoritse of Delta, Dare Folarin of Lagos, Adewale Sikiru from Kwara, and Afeez Abdulramon also from Kwara State.

    110m hurdler  Ojeikere Omon from Edo and 400m hurdlers Prior Ochonogor and Airen Williams from Lagos are also to report in Port Harcourt. In the boys long jump Nwokocha Tobechukwu of Delta completes the list.

    Invited to give them coaching tutorials are the following coaches, Femi Emmanuel sprints/coordinator, Emily Osakwe jumps, Abiodun Johnson sprints, Chima Osuagwu hurdles, Bamidele Bada  race walk, George Obiano jump support coach, Tom Nnakwe hurdles support coach. The team secretary is Lambu Umar.

  • Don’t use banned drugs, AFN warns athletes

    Don’t use banned drugs, AFN warns athletes

    The Secretary-General of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Mr Bamiduro Olumide, on Tuesday urged athletes to resist the temptation of using banned drugs to enhance their performance.

    Olumide made the appeal in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the AFN third All Comers Athletics Meet at the University of Port Harcourt Sports Complex.

    He said the use of such drugs could mar the career of an athlete.  Olumide urged athletes to work extra hard to attain high standards achieved by eminent Nigerians in major national and international games.

    ‘’ I want to plead with Nigerian athletes to train harder to achieve high standards.

    ‘’ You must work extra hard . You must desist from using prohibited drugs and substances that will mar your career.  Be clean, as long as you are clean, you will achieve your desired objective,’’ he said.

    The Secretary-General said the AFN needed the support of Nigerians to achieve set goals and objectives.

    ‘’ We need the support of every Nigerian . Every Nigerian is a stake holder in the development of athletics.

    “ We need every support that will help us achieve our desired objectives,’’ he said.

    On the All Comers Meet, Olumide said the University of Port Harcourt event was the third in the series of such meets in the country.

    He said two previous meets took place in Abuja and Lagos in February and March this year.

    ‘’ The All Comers Meet is a platform designed by the AFN to give athletes the opportunity to show case their talents.

    ‘’ From there, it will be an entry standard for the Golden League.  There are criteria set up, based on performance to make athletes enter the Golden League,’’ he said.

    The scribe said if an athlete failed to meet such criteria, he might not qualify for the Golden League.

    ‘’ The Golden League is another strategic plan by the Technical Committee of the Federation to assist athletes in performance before mega games like the All African Games, Commonwealth Games or the Olympic Games,’’ he said.

  • We don’t have Okagbare’s apology letter – AFN

    We don’t have Okagbare’s apology letter – AFN

    The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has refuted claims that the body has received an apology letter  from Nigeria’s fastest woman and Commonwealth gold medalist, Blessing Okagbare following  uterances made by her that the body was irresponsible.

    In a chat with the NationSports, the spokesman of AFN, Kayode Thomas, said: “We are yet to receive an official letter from Okagbare.”

    It would be recalled that some days ago, Okagbare had claimed on her faceboomk page that the Solomon Ogba led body had preferred foreign based athletes to the detriment of the home-based athletes.

    She had posted: “For those hoping for a change in our Nigeria track & field, they should not just wait but also pray. Honestly, I have been so calm about these people killing our grass root section/home based athletes with their recruiting of athletes from other countries instead of building the great talents that we have.

    “What a show of shame the administration have become. They sit down, criticize the athletes back home that they are not improving or doing enough to be at the top yet; they don’t do anything to support them. Enough is enough with the short cuts to success because, our Nation and athletes are so better than this.”