| By Uzor Odigbo There are strong indications that foreign-based athletes may not participate in the All Africa Games billed for Morocco in August following sports ministry’s decision to skip paying their training grants.A top official of the ministry (name withheld) had hinted that the sports ministry won’t be remitting athletes training grants for the All African Games, a development which didn’t sink well with the foreign-based athletes. In a group chat with the athletes recently, they demanded that the ministry authenticate their descison by putting in it writing to enable them make their boycott plans public.They however unanimously resolved to suspend their games participation if the report is confirmed.”We cannot miss our meets’ abroad which gives us money to attend Games that put nothing in our pocket, how much bonus do they pay the Super Eagles and how much are we expected to get, this is cheating and we won’t stomach it anymore”. “For now, it’s a rumour, we can’t just take it like that, we are going to inisist they (Ministry) put their decision in writing, our plan is private and confidential, lets keep it that way until the ministry officially address us” some of the athletes said.They want the ministry to also outline athletes allowances like the Super Eagles and announce how much each athlete is expected to earn at the games.Most of them believe they have been used as toys for many years and this is the time to demand for their rights.One of the athletes however insisted that the statement of non payment of grants emanated directly from one of the top directors in the ministry and when she contacted the permanent secretary for confirmation, his response didn’t give any hope.Efforts to speak with the athletes liaison officer in US and former Hammer thrower Gabriel Opuana for comments on the issue failed. A staff in the sports ministry however confided on condition of anonymity of the ministry’s decision not to pay athletes grants. He also alluded to the fact that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria officials have been contacted and were aware of this development.If the foreign-based athletes finally boycott the games, it would drastically erode expected medal haul, as medal hopes in athletics squarely rests on their shoulders. |
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