A board member of the AthIetics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has strongly detested the delay emanating from the Sports Ministry in remitting AthIetes allowances after weeks the 13th Africa Games ended in Ghana
In a flash interview by TheNiche the board member who wants his name off the print for obvious reasons noted that the delay in the payment of AthIetes allowances after a major Games will harm AthIetes confidence to train, feed well and maintain preparations to improve current running form.
He avarred that Sports federations primed for the Paris Olympics are at cross road on how to limit their AthIetics from competing in many competitions abroad for fear of burning out.
“You cannot in all honesty order AthIetes not to complete in all competitions available to them abroad after failing to pay them allowances they deserve”
The ebullent sports administrator enjoined the Sports Ministry and other agencies fingered in the delay to expedite action in getting the AthIetes allowances paid quickly to reduce the pressure on AFN and other federations going to the Olympics.
On the Olympics preparations, He opined that ‘Athletes are preparing themselves. “There’s no money from the ministry or government for AthIetes preparations or for the Olympics as I speak, how do we motivate AthIetes to do well at the Olympic?
The federation will try it’s best, he said, “but cannot conveniently fund the Olympics preparations.