AFN moves to stop age cheats at Awoture U-15 Athletics Championships, AFN U18 and U20 Trials
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, seems to be keen on preventing over-aged athletes from parading themselves as under-age ones at the Awoture U15 Athletics Championships and the U18 and U20 trials set to hold later this month in Asaba, capital of Delta state.
Last year, the Athletics Integrity Unit, AIU, wrote to the President of AFN, Tonobok Ojuru Okowa and then Secretary General, Rita Mosindi to explain why some Nigerian athletes shortlisted for the 2024 World U20 Championships had multiple dates of birth.
To prevent re-occurrence of the national embarrassment, the Federation, now seemingly headed by a proactive, literate and result-oriented Chief Administrative and Financial Officer, looks to have designed a plan to stop 20-something year olds from masquerading as teenagers.
The AFN, in a letter sent to States Association and Clubs insists athletes wishing to participate must fulfil certain conditions.
Athletes and their states/coaches must provide ‘any two of the followings: Original Birth Certificate, Primary School Certificate with date of birth, Junior and Senior School Certificate (original copy for sighting), and/or NIN printout showing date of birth.’
The AFN also insists athletes must be present for physical verification a day before the start of the competition which is February 21, 2025. The competition has been sxheduled to hold from February 22nd to 24th, 2025.
