By Uzor Odigbo
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) under the leadership of Olamide George and his team have maintained a clean slate in offering quality competitions to the athletes after being at the helm of affairs for over eight weeks.
Goeorg said, “Three competitions back to back is a track record so far and athletes are happy for this development.”
Prior to the advent of this AFN, the federation under the impeached former President, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, had carried on as if athletes no longer exist as competitions dried up and athletes yawning for help.
With a new dawn in place, some AFN board members were still pretending as if nothing is happening that required their attention.
Three competitions so far some of them are yet to attend one or commend the efforts of the active ones on the field.
Apparently, one would belief that AFN board members are on the board for the sole interest of Athletes they vowed on oath to protect and cater for.
However, recent development has shown that not all of them are on the same page as some have portrayed attitude that suggest that their interests are obviously different from others.
As at the last check, only these AFN board members have been on ground at AFN competition venues this season.
Namely, Hon. Olamide George, Chief Mrs. Rosa Collins, Alhaji Ahmed Isah Kaita, Brown Ebewele, Gabriel Okon, Dare Esan, and Maria whoophill.
Thses board members may not be the only ones with athletes interest, despite their tight schedule, they still find time to attend competitions and assist in one or two things.
Most athletes frowned and believe that personal interest have been the bane of the old leadership of the federation and some board members are still bent on taking it further devoid of athletes overall welfare.
Athletes have been asking questions of what would have become of them if this board led by George and his team had not seized the gunlet at the federation, even as AFN sometime ago was populated by characters not synonymous with athletes interest.
One of the influencial coaches said “Gladly, the federation is on course, although, with a few months before it’s tenure elapse, the bottom line is that athletes are happy, competitions are on-going, allowances are remitted to them as at when due and above all, the ship are gradually being separated from the goats.”
Of course, this is not meant to condemn or slight any AFN board member, the fact still remains that where one’s interest lies, that’s where his heart will be.
Spornsors that were hitherto not available are showing up such that AFN had to cancel some events to make time for athletes proper recovery.
“Everyone is expected to be active for athletes to prepare well for the Olympics and other competitions lined up for the season,” said, Olamide George.
There’s only one AFN, nobody is a waste pipe, if you have no money to give, come to the venue and support the Athletes, clap and also offer your advice to them, said George.
The sports Minister attended the Test the Tracks competition in Benin, he also sent his media aide to AKURE which demonstrated lots of care and interest, yet some AFN board members have not showed up in one. “There should be a reverse of attitude in the right direction,” Rosa Collins said.