The Chairman of Competitions and Management Committee of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Commodore Omatseye Nesiama (rtd), has said AthIetes require full concentration as the federation is focused in delivering best performance at the Africa Games in Ghana and the Olympics Games in Paris, France.
“I want all athletics-loving Nigerians to know that we are a fresh committee dealing with a fresh mandate, and we are doing things in line with beat practices,” he stated.
Nesiama, former AFN Technical Director was responding to what has been viewed as misinformation by some of the board members, who are bent on inciting the athletes against the board.
AFN first Vice President, Tafida Gadzama, issued a release recently said that athletes deserve much more than the ‘paltry’ N40,000 being offered as top prize money for the Federation’s Evaluation Meets coming up in Abuja soon.
Gadzama had said, that the AFN does not have any excuse for not paying between N100,000 and N150,000 for first-placed athletes in the coming event.
However, Nesiama, a respected World AthIetics International Technical Official (ITO) said, “We have to clean up the stable and prove that on our own that with little funds we can organise quality competitions.
Thereafter, when we approach sponsors, they would be confident to deal with us. The headship and members of the various committees put in place by the AFN Board last month are known to have the right pedigree and track records to deliver.”
Meanwhile, AFN President, Tonobok Okowa has said the federation would not be distracted by ‘side talk’ in the build up to the Africa Games and the Olympics.
“We have some important assignments ahead of us, and the AFN is focused on delivering more than ever before. Those people whose aim is to cause trouble within the board or distract the athletes from giving their best should stay away.
The athletes are moving into camp soon, and they need high level of concentration,” Okowa stated
