AFN set to throw away another internationally recognized athletics official with exclusionary decision of its Congress
Criticisms are still trailing the highly disputed Congress of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, held last week in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state following the discovery that another highly respected and internationally recognized figure, Mrs Maria Worphil has been barred from seeking another term on the board of the AFN.
The Congress in Bayelsa affirmed article 17.2 of the disputed 2023 AFN Constitution (as amended) which bars members who have served three terms on the board of the Federation from seeking re-election or return to the board.
Interestingly, while the AFN Congress, teleguided by a former President of the Federation who is desperate to secure another term for the incumbent President, is throwing away some of the best hands in track and field in Nigeria, the Confederation of African Athletics, CAA, has continued to recognize some of these Nigerians.
Less than a year ago, Mrs Worphil was confirmed by the Continental body as the Chair of its Gender Leadership Task Force/Africa via a decision made at its Council meeting in Douala, Cameroon.
Mrs Worphil was once in World Athletics’ Women’s Commission and has severally played prominent roles assigned to her by the international governing body for track and field.
In September 2019, Mrs Worphil was conferred with the Veteran Pin Award by World Athletics for her outstanding contribution and commitment to athletics.
Mrs Worhil was greatly applauded at the 52nd World Athletics Congress held at the Qatar National Convention Centre for her long and meritorious service to the cause of world athletics.
Athletics observers are wondering who those plotting this egregious move want to have as members of the board of the AFN.
Sportsnow.com.ng has also uncovered the plot to stop Dr Henry Okorie, the highly cerebral Athletes Representative on the board of the Federation from returning so they can plant their stooge as the Athletes Representative.
Just a few days ago, Omatseye Nesiama, a former two-time Technical Subcommittee Chairman of the AFN who was also affected by the unpopular and ludicrous decision to insert the obnoxious article into the Constitution of the Federation was appointed as Referee for the CAA the 3rd Africa U18/U20 combined championships slated for Oran, Algeria.
The appointment was reportedly conveyed in a letter signed by the Director-General of the CAA, Lamine Faty.
Nesiama is the first and only Nigerian among 19 Africans licensed Athletes’ representative by World Athletics.
Nesiama is also an International technical official and a World Athletics certified lecturer.
