“Favour Ofili is almost gone, and more athletes are about to seek other nations’ nationality. This drift can only stop through adequate funding for athletics by sponsors and the Federal Government,”
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has called for increased government funding and corporate sponsorship as a necessary step to curb the growing trend of Nigerian athletes switching national allegiance in search of better opportunities abroad.
AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, made the appeal on Friday during a press conference after Day 1 of the All Nigeria Athletics Trials at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex, Lagos.
Okowa emphasized that inadequate funding remains a major factor driving top athletes to seek citizenship in other countries, citing the case of leading sprinter Favour Ofili, who is reportedly close to representing Turkey due to financial challenges.
“Favour Ofili is almost gone, and more athletes are about to seek other nations’ nationality. This drift can only stop through adequate funding for athletics by sponsors and the Federal Government,” Okowa stated.
He stressed that athletics in Nigeria requires significant financial support to cover training, international travel, welfare, and participation in both local and global competitions.
Speaking on the ongoing trials, Okowa expressed satisfaction with the performance of Nigerian athletes, particularly the female competitors, while noting that the male athletes are also achieving impressive times.
He reiterated AFN’s focus on ensuring Nigeria’s relay teams qualify for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.
Okowa expressed gratitude to Arise News, Premium Trust Bank, and the National Sports Commission (NSC) for their financial support of the trials.
He further appealed to well-meaning Nigerians and businesses to partner with AFN in sustaining the growth of athletics in the country.
The AFN President addressed the media alongside Technical Director Gabriel Okon, federation honorary board member Kola Aderibigbe, and two top Nigerian athletes.
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