Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is facing trying time following accusations in and poor outing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Ten Nigerian athletes were disqualified by Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for failing drug test. Few after, Blessing Okagbare was also disqualified during her semi final 200 metres race for failing dope test.
Last week, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, the men’s shot athlete highlighted Nigeria’s poor preparation by posting a video where he was washing the ‘only’ jersey provided him by the Nigerian officials.
This was as star Nigerian athlete Blessing Okagbare launched a stinging attack on Nigerian sports administrators on Thursday in reaction to the ban of 10 Nigerian athletes from competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by the Athletics Integrity Unit. AIU.
Okagbare who took to social media accused the officials of lacking passion and knowledge for athletics. Stating further that the officials abandoned their main responsibility, which is the welfare of the athletes to focus on issues such as securing kit deals.
She said, “I have said it before and I will say it again. If you do not know the sport, not passionate about it/Us (the athletes), then you have no business there as an administrator. The sport system in Nigeria is so flaw and we athletes are always at the receiving end of the damages.”
”They were busy fighting over power, Exercising their pride over puma contract/ kits forgetting their major responsibility “THE ATHLETES.”
It’s sad that this cycle keeps repeating its self and some people will come out to say I am arrogant for speaking my truth. It is my CAREER”, The Olympics bronze medalist concluded.
This might have compelled German sportswear manufacturing giants PUMA to announce termination of its four-year contract with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
According to PUMA, the termination of the deal was a result of Nigeria’s athletes’ inability to wear the brand at the ongoing Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
In a letter dated Wednesday, August 4, and signed by the company’s director Manuel Edlheimb, PUMA said it was officially notifying the Athletics Federation of Nigeria of its termination of sponsoring and Licensing Agreement.
“We are referring to the licensing and sponsoring agreement signed between our company and your federation.
“As a direct consequence of the recent developments, particularly at the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 and pursuant to clauses 9.2 and 7.3 of the Agreement, we hereby terminate the Agreement with immediate effect.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria under the leadership of Engr Ibrahim Gusau signed a 4-year contract with PUMA in 2019 and was due to expire in 2022.
Part of the contract is that PUMA will supply kits to all age categories to Nigeria’s Athletics team for four years at no cost.
In addition, gold medalists at the Olympic Games will earn $15,000, silver medalists will get 5,000 while a bronze medal will fetch athletes wearing the PUMA apparel at the games $3000. This means, Ese Brume would have gotten an additional $3000 for winning bronze wearing PUMA kit if the deal was still on.
The termination of the deal comes amidst an alleged leadership tussle between the Ibrahim Gusau-led AFN board and that headed by the Minister for Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare.
The minister is said to have vowed that the Nigerian Athletes will not wear the PUMA kits, stating that the contract is “a subject of a criminal investigation.”
Last year, the Department of State Services cleared Gusau and his vice president Sunday Adeleye over corruption allegations levelled against him by the sports ministry.
