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Tag: Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN)

  • AFN partners  Roster Athletics to end age cheating scourge

    AFN partners  Roster Athletics to end age cheating scourge

    The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has fired a decisive shot at age falsification and poor athlete data management with the launch of a ground-breaking partnership with Roster Athletics.

    Under the leadership of AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, the federation announced the collaboration as a major turning point aimed at restoring credibility, transparency and global confidence in Nigerian athletics.

    Brokered by AFN Secretary General, Israel Inwang, the deal will see the immediate deployment of the Roster Athletics competition management platform across all AFN Championships—introducing a secure, verifiable and tamper-proof system that permanently addresses long-standing age discrepancy concerns.

     “This partnership is not just about technology, it’s about restoring confidence and ensuring fairness,” Inwang said. “We are taking concrete action to eliminate any doubt about our athletes’ credentials and our commitment to clean sport.”

    Beyond national championships, the platform will be rolled out to state associations, clubs and competition organisers nationwide, including road race organisers.

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    Features include secure online registration, automated seeding, real-time results integration, live competition tracking and professional meet management tools.

    Chief Okowa described the move as a bold step to protect athletes and silence critics.

     “For too long, negative narratives have overshadowed the achievements of our athletes,” he said.  “This partnership provides irrefutable documentation and international-standard verification that will showcase Nigerian athletics with the credibility it deserves.”

    In a further reform push, AFN is introducing a compulsory athlete licensing system.

    Every registered athlete will now carry a unique AFN license number throughout their career, renewed annually and fully integrated into international athletics databases.

    The new system guarantees permanent athlete identification, transparent age documentation, complete career tracking and zero room for identity manipulation.

     “We are moving from defense to offense,” Inwang added. “Instead of reacting to criticism, we are building systems that make such criticism obsolete.”

    With training and support already in place, AFN says all affiliated bodies can begin using the platform immediately, signaling the start of a new chapter defined by integrity, modernization and accountability in Nigerian athletics.

  • AFN chief blasts NOC over ‘illegal meeting’

    A top member of the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) says Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) lacks the power to convene a meeting of the board of the Federation and revealed some members have threatened to boycott the meeting scheduled for Thursday inside the conference room of the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development at Federal Secretariat in Abuja.

    The letter, dated June 3, 2019, and signed by NOC Secretary General, Olabanji Oladapo, made it mandatory for all board members of the AFN to attend the meeting without stating any agenda.

    ‘The NOC does not have the power to convene a meeting of the AFN neither does it also have the power to interfere in the internal affairs of the AFN’ said the AFN board member who pleaded not to be named.

    ‘What the NOC is doing is trying to assert an authority that does not exist because the body thinks Nigerians are naive and ignorant of the rules governing international sports.’

    ‘The AFN, for the avoidance of doubt, is only answerable to its parent body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) which has acknowledged the decision taken by the AFN board on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, asking the president, Honourable Ibrahim Shehu Gusau to step aside following allegations of gross misconduct and misappropriation of funds levelled against him.’

    ‘The IAAF in an email sent to the Federation of Friday, May 31, 2019, by Jee Isram, a senior manager in-charge of Governance, Member and International Relations and who is also head of protocol, acknowledged the fact that a panel has been set up to investigate the allegations against Hon Gusau’, revealed the top AFN member.

    The email reads inter-alia: Dear Secretary General, We acknowledge the receipt of your email regarding the suspension of the president of your federation. With regard to the contents of your email, we understand that a committee has been set up to investigate the allegations levelled against the president.

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    ‘However, for our files, can you please forward to us the convening notice of the AFN board meeting held on 28 May as well as the minutes of that meeting.’

    The AFN chief revealed the federation has sent the necessary documents (notice of meeting and minutes) to the IAAF regarding the decision of the AFN board on May 28.

    ‘The IAAF is on top of happenings in the Federation.I think the suspended president of the federation is trying to use the NOC to perform an illegality on Thursday by going against the constitution of the federation and international best practice, to reinstate Gusau who is yet to clear himself of the allegations levelled against him.

    ‘As far as we are concerned, the IAAF have spoken and until something to the contrary comes from Monaco, Gusau remains suspended.’

  • IAAF grant: Reps to probe alleged missing $150,000

    The House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to to probe alleged missing 150,000 dollars paid to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria ( AFN ) by the International Amateur Athletics Federation ( IAAF ).

    The House will also look into the threat of banning the country from IAAF activities if the money was not recovered.

    This followed a motion under Matters of Urgent National Importance by Rep. Douye Diri (PDP-Bayelsa) during plenary.

    Moving the motion, Diri said that media reports had it that IAAF paid 150,000 dollars to AFN instead of 15,000 dollars which was its annual grant to member-Federation for 2017.

    He said that it was reported that IAAF accountants discovered the error and asked AFN to refund the excess payment, but that the money seemed to have disappeared into thin air.

    The lawmaker said that he was aware that some AFN Board were calling for an emergency congress to look into the scandal.

    He said that the members had faulted the Sport Minister, Solomon Dalung, who was said to have set up a committee to probe the circumstances surrounding the missing grant.

    He expressed worry over allegations that the recipient of the money may have used his private account to collect it from IAAF.

    According to Diri, this happened when the minister dissolved boards of sports federations.

    He wondered how money could be received and spent with approval from relevant authorities contrary to extant laws, and in this era of Treasury Single Account ( TSA ) operation by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    He pointed out that Nigeria’s image was not only being tarnished by the failure of AFN to refund the money, but that the country ran the risk of being banned from international competitions.

    The legislator expressed concern over the effect such a ban would have on the youth of the country, who saw sports as a viable means of livelihood.

    The motion was unanimously adopted by members when it was put to voice vote by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara.

    The House, therefore, mandated its Committee on Sports to carry out forensic audit on the issue and determine steps to be taken to recover the money and prevent Nigeria from being banned.

    The committee would also determine measures to be put in place to prevent such infractions in future.

    The members also resolved to invite Dalung, AFN and Central Bank of Nigeria and any other connected party to explain their roles in the matter.

    NAN

  • AFN President gets two weeks ultimatum

    AFN President gets two weeks ultimatum

  • Okowa restates commitment to youths, sports development

    Okowa restates commitment to youths, sports development

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has restated his administration’s commitment to the development of sports and empowerment of youths.

    Okowa made the assertion as the 2017 Warri Relays and Confederation of Africa Athletics Grand (CAA) Prix 2 began at the Delta Polytechnic, Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of the state.

    The event, organised by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) in conjunction with the Delta Government, is meant to prepare the country’s athletes for future national and international competitions.

    The governor, represented by the Speaker, Delta House of Assembly, Mr Sheriff Oborevwori, said the government would continue to support the development of sports.

    “We are always glad to be part of this type of event and other activities geared towards the encouragement, empowerment and development of our youths.

    “My administration will continue to support athletics and other sports.

    “As you are already aware, Delta is a home for sports and we have produced international and national champions for decades,’’ he said.

    The President of AFN, Chief Solomon Ogba, commended the Delta Government for the sponsorship.

    Ogba also said the state was famous for producing national and international champions, including Blessing Okagbare, an Olympic medalist in 200m.

    Some of the events featured at the event included 100m (men and women), 4x100m relay, javelin and high jump.

  • Adeleye emerges athletes’ rep on AFN board

    Adeleye emerges athletes’ rep on AFN board

    Nigeria’s representative in 400 metres hurdles at the All African Games, 2003, Sunday Adeleye has emerged as the Athletes Representative in the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

    At the end of the election on Saturday, Adeleye emerged winner in the national election held at National Stadium, Abuja where 256 athletes chose between him and Henry Okorie ahead of the AFN All-comers meet.

    Speaking with the media, Amechi Akawo, Secretary-General, AFN, said the election was fair and transparent.

    “Adeleye got 184 votes while Okorie got 63 votes and nine votes were declared as void and the athletes accepted the result,’’ he said.

    Adeleye said his presence in the board would ensure effective development of athletics in the country.

    “I am not a representative that wants to go and sit on the board; I have a plan for the development of the game.

    “AFN should no longer be seen as an association, it should ensure that states do not want athletes only for the National Youth Festival, they should be organising their own competitions.

    “There are junior, youth and senior competitions, every state should be organising at least one of the three in a year to have representative at the national sports festival,’’ he said.

    Some of the athletes who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gave their view on the outcome of the election.

    Jasper Adekunle, 100 metres female athlete said: “we need someone that can really represent the interest of athletes for now and we have spoken today’’.

    Donald Nwamere, 400 metres (flat) athlete from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) athletics club, said the election was free and fair.

    “The election was free and fair, every athlete had the opportunity to choose who he wanted without any interference.

    “The result is okay and we hope to have a better programme from the incoming board of AFN,’’ he said.

    AFN will elect other board members on June 13 in line with the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports directive for all sport federations in the nation.

  • Failure to develop sports at grassroots threatens our growth – Gora

    Failure to develop sports at grassroots threatens our growth – Gora

    A retired sports administrator, Elias Gora, on Tuesday said the country’s grassroots development programme was not good enough to help build world-beaters and return Nigeria to winning ways.

    Gora told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that there should have by now been a replacement for sprinter Blessing Okagbare if the programme was yielding the desired result.

    Speaking against the background of recent unimpressive performances by Okagbare, Gora lamented that Nigeria’s athletics administrators had been paying lip service to grassroots development and this was rather unfortunate.

    “I said this same thing sometime last year, and up till this moment there is nobody we can pinpoint or point at as a possible replacement for this talented athlete that nature has began to take its course on.

    “In Nigerian athletics unfortunately, there is a talk of ‘catch them young’ grassroots development. But I haven’t seen anything in that direction.

    “If that was the case and we are quite serious with it, we would have had young and talented athletes replacing Okagbare,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that Okagbare, one of Africa’s most successful sprinters, will not be in action when the IAAF Diamond League makes its second of 14 stops this weekend in Shanghai, China.

    She finished with an uninspiring 23.15 seconds to place sixth in the opening leg of the money-spinning one day meeting last weekend in Doha, Qatar.

    This would be the second straight season the Nigerian 100m record holder at 10.79 seconds will be missing the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Shanghai.

    She had made her debut in 2011, coming third in 11.23 seconds in the 100m.

    Gora, who was Nigeria’s Chef de Mission at the 2011 New Delhi Commonwealth Games, “By now, there should be a replacement for Okagbare already if the grassroots development programme was yielding the desired result.

    “She’s a wonderful woman, well determined and her passion for this country is highly commendable, but by now somebody would have replaced her.

    “We should by now not only have one, but very many other new crop of young athletes coming up to do Nigeria proud.

    “So, I don’t know what we are really doing in grassroots sports development,’’ he said.

    Gora lamented that what the country was having was a situation of having individual athletes attending competitions without training.

    “They cannot embark on any serious training because first they don’t have a coach, and that’s the truth, as sad as it is. We can’t take good coaching away from sports,’’ he said.

    Gora said the importance of knowledgeable coaching in the life of athletes could not be over-emphasised.

    “You cannot have sports without coaches who are up to date with current techniques. Sports keeps evolving and there are procedures.

    “I have said it times without number, but nobody is listening,’’ he said.

    Gora then urged the incoming President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to ensure that his administration’s focus was mainly on grassroots development.

    “It is never too late to make amends. After the election, whoever emerges the new AFN President should give more priority to grassroots development.

    “We cannot over-emphasise the need for it, given the decline we have suffered in the recent past,’’ he said.

     

  • AFN names 25 females, 11 males for Rio Olympics

    No fewer than 36 athletes have been selected by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to represent the country at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.

    Their names are in a statement by the AFN Technical Director, Omatseye Nesiama and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

    The athletes, made up of 25 females and 11 males, will represent the country at the Games scheduled for Aug. 5 to Aug. 19.

    In the women’s 100m are Blessing Okagbare, Gloria Asumnu and Jennifer Madu, while the male 100m sprinters are Ogho-Oghene Egwero, Adeseye Ogunlewe and Monzavous Edwards, the statement said.

    It noted that Blessing Okagbare will be the only female athlete to represent the country in the women’s 200m, while the men’s 200m sprinters are Divine Oduduru and Oghenetega Odele.

    The quarter milers in the women’s event are Patience Okon-George, Margaret Bamgbose and Omolara Omotosho.

    Orukpe Eraiyokan is the only quarter miler in the men’s category, it added.

    In the 100m Hurdle is Oluwatobiloba Amusan, while Antwon Hicks will feature in the 110m Hurdle in the men’s category.

    Amaka Ogoegbunam and Miles Ukaoma will feature in the 400m Hurdles women’s and men’s category respectively.

    In the High Jump women’s event is Doreen Amata, while Ese Brume will feature in the Long Jump event.

    Chinwe Okoro will feature in the Discus event and Nwanneka Okwelogu in the women’s Shot Put.

    In the men’s Triple Jump are Tosin Oke and Olumide Olamigoke, while Steven Mozia will participate in the Shot Put event.

    Uhunoma Osazuwa is the only athlete for Heptathlon event.

    The women in the 4x100m event are Blessing Okagbare, Peace Alphonsus Uko, Gloria Asumnu, Agnes Osazuwa, Jennifer Madu, Zainab Sanni, Cecilia Francis, Olivia Ekpone and Kadijah Suleiman.

    The 4x400m relay list comprises of Patience Okon George, Omolara Omotosho, Margaret Bamgbose, Regina George, Yinka Ajayi, Rita Vivian Ossai, Blessing Mayungbe, Funke Ogunbase and Ekundayo Sogbesan.