Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) may have found the Sports Ministry culpable for its poor delivery as the federation’s technical director, Sunday Adeleye slammed the Ministry for failing to assist AFN financially.
Adeleye who was in Lagos for the Making of Champions (MoC) grand Prix insisted the federation has been providing competitions for athletes devoid of support from the sports ministry, a development he described as anti-sports growth.
“I can tell you that we have been the one providing competitions for athletes since we came in. We’ve had eight competitions so far this year and not a dime came from the Sports Ministry.”
Adeleye also alluded that the AFN board members are not divided but have been cooperating when the arises.
“There’s no division in AFN, all members are pulling from the same direction. We were at Ozoro in Delta State for the Junior trials. We were eight in number, is that a division? We can’t be calling for board meetings all the time, there are rules guiding the invitation of members for board meetings.”
The former hurdler who also doubles as the Athletes Representative avarred that AFN was not suppose to organize competitions, rather to provide logistics like venue, technical personnel and equipment.
On why the federation still wallow in penury, unable to pay athletes allowances after competitions, Adeleye said, when a few individuals are involved in financing competitions there must be shortfalls here and there and its not total denial.
The federation according to him, is making effort to licence individuals capable of providing competitions in the country. He also said individuals like Mr. Bambo Akani of the MoC and others would be licensed to enable AFN assume its rightful statuary role in monitoring meet organizers, external competitions and athletes.
He commended MoC for its exemplary role in championing and moving into the league of meet organisers all over the world.
He however call on Nigerians and stakeholders to close ranks to make athletics strive again.
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