Enough Is Enough: Nesiama Slams Nigeria’s Athletics Mediocrity
Ex-AFN Director Criticises Use of Unqualified Officials
Former Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Technical Director, Commodore Omatseye Nesiama (rtd), has delivered a scathing assessment of athletics administration in Nigeria, lamenting what he described as ‘mediocrity’ in the way competitions are run.
According to The Guardian, Nesiama, who officiated as Start Referee at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix and will serve again at the World Relays in Gaborone, expressed pride in the professionalism of the Botswana meet but contrasted it sharply with Nigeria’s shortcomings.
He noted that World Athletics officials commended the organisers for running the event within the strict two-hour broadcast window, a standard he said Nigeria consistently fails to meet.
‘Despite the meet being private-driven, no one without at least a World Athletics-approved National Athletics official certification is allowed to officiate,’ Nesiama told The Guardian.
‘In most cases, in Nigeria, we run high-level competitions with unqualified officials. It is shameful. These are some of the reasons we are unable to attract World Athletics interest when we bid for WA Series competitions. Enough is enough of our mediocrity.’
Nesiama said he could no longer remain silent.
‘I can be abused after this; I don’t care. I feel bad that people are asking me all the time why we can’t ensure our competitions are improved as we do outside. Very sad,’ he added.
His remarks highlight the growing frustration among Nigeria’s athletics stakeholders, who see poor administration as a major obstacle to the country’s progress on the global stage.
