OKAGBARE: POWER TUSSLE IN AFN LEADS TO BAN OF 10 NIGERIAN ATHLETES FROM TOKYO

Nigeria women’s sprint star Blessing Okagbare has express her displeasure over ban of 10 Nigerian athletes from competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by the Athletics Integrity Unit ( AIU).

The Nigerian athletes were banned due to non-compliance with doping rules for Category A Federations. Okagbare who is presently competing at the Tokyo Games took to social media to accuse the officials of abandoning their main responsibility, which is the welfare of the athletes to focus on less important issues such as securing kit deals.

“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.” Okagbare said.

She further accused the official of fighting over power, exercising power over kits forgetting their responsibility.

“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 out to say I am arrogant for speaking my truth. It is my CAREER”, The Olympic Bronze medalist concluded.

The banned athletes include Favor Ofili, Chioma Onyekwere, Rosemary Chukwuma, Glory Patrick, Tima Godbless, Chidi Okezie, Ruth Usoro, Knowledge Omovoh, Yinka Ajayi and Annette Echikunwoke