By Uzor Odigbo
The executive board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) on Tuesday May 28, 20l9 suspended its President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, over what it described as gross maladministration and misappropriation of funds.
After its meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, the federation’s Acting president, Olamide George, said Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Gusau was suspended for superintending the gradual collapse of athletics in Nigeria.
Other reasons he arrayed for Gusau’s suspension include the approval to purchase kits for athletes during Asaba AAC Senior Athletics Championships without the knowledge of the board.
Nigeria participated in more than three international athletics championship some of them under aged, yet Gusau did not account to anybody.
The suspension and intimidation of athletes without recourse to the federation’s disciplinary committee which he noted amounted to highhandedness and misused of power.
The most embarrassing one was the IAAF $135,000 over-payment which as at today, Gusau has not said anything on how Nigeria would be saved from imminent IAAF ban threat.
George however said AFN board would meet again to harmonise programme of activities for the way forward.
According to him, a committee has been set up whose members would be announced soon to carry out full investigations on past AFN’s leadership nvolvement in the IAAF Funds saga.
The Acting AFN president insisted that things won’t run the same a gain.
He reassured athletes of immediate action on tracks as to prepare them for competitions ahead.
He also promised to revive and realign some AFN committees towards vibrancy and performance oriented goals.
George concluded that the federation has transmitted all actions the executive board executed so far to the IAAF.
Seven board members were present and duly signed a press statement made available to the Sports Ministry and IAAF.