Home-Based Athletes, Officials Demand Compensation Over AFN’s Last-Minute Date Change
Home-based athletes and stakeholders have expressed outrage and demanded compensation from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) following a last-minute change in the start date of the Nigerian Track and Field Championships, which serve as selection trials for the 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The AFN had initially scheduled the three-day championships to begin on Saturday, June 20. However, in the early hours of the same day, a press release announced that the competition would now commence on Sunday, June 21.
The abrupt shift, described by athletes as stemming from ‘incompetence rather than logic,’ has left many participants facing unexpected financial burdens.
Athletes and coaches, who had already booked hotels and flights based on the original timetable, now face additional costs.
‘Many of us booked hotels from Friday to Tuesday, believing the championships would end on Tuesday. Now we must pay for an extra day. Those who flew in from different parts of Nigeria will also have to spend more to change their flight tickets,’ said one concerned athlete who requested anonymity.
Beyond financial strain, athletes emphasized that such changes disrupt their preparation.
Track and field competitors train and condition themselves according to official timetables, which outline when specific events will take place.
These schedules are critical for athletes to peak at the right time, ensuring optimal performance during their designated events. Sudden alterations can throw off carefully planned routines, affecting both physical readiness and mental focus.
Stakeholders argue that the AFN’s repeated neglect of home-based athletes contradicts its public statements. While the federation has often described local athletes as the ‘cornerstone of track and field revival,’ critics say this is mere rhetoric.
They contend that the AFN relies heavily on athletes nurtured and developed abroad, particularly through the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), while failing to adequately support those training within Nigeria.
