World Athletics Championships: Embassy of Hungary delays issuing Okowa entry visa

Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, President, Tonobok Ojuru Okowa has revealed the Embassy of Hungary in Abuja has
delayed issuing him an entry visa to attend the 54th World Athletics Congress which began on Wednesday, August 16 and which
will on Thursday elect the President, the 4 Vice-Presidents and 13 Individual Council Members.

Okowa has therefore nominated a member of the board of the AFN, Navy Commdore Omatseye Nesiama to vote on his behalf.

In a letter he personally signed, the AFN President wrote World Athletics Chief Executive Officer, Jon Ridgeon of his
predicament and his nomination of Navy Commdore Nesiama to vote on his behalf.

Titled, ‘Authority To Vote By Proxy’, Okowa revealed the authorization given to Navy Commdore Nesiama became necessary ‘due
to the delay on the issuance of my entry visa to Budapest’.

It is not yet clear what caused the delay but sources close to the AFN revealed that all other ‘genuine’ officials whose
names were forwarded have been granted entry visas.

Sportsnow also gathered the AFN President may have finally been issued a schenghen visa to travel to Budapest and that he
was due to fly out Wednesday night aboard Turkish Airline.

‘I don’t know if he got the visa and if he jetted out Wednesday night as I was informed he would but I can confirm that he
may not make it on time to Budapest for the election congress,’ said the source.

Some board members feigned ignorance of the development, arguing that they have not been privy to most of the decisions
taken by the federation since Okowa became AFN President.

‘I can tell you this is news to me as we have been reduced to school boys on the board of the AFN. We are only informed of
the decisions taken by email. Can you imagine those saddled with the running of the board being told by mail of decisions
they should have taken,’ asked one of the board members in a chat with our correspondent.

Another board member who also does not want to be named says the two vice presidents are also unaware of happenings in the
federation.

‘This goes to show how bad things have gone in the federation. I don’t think we have had it this bad. This may be the worst
ever board in the history of AFN,’ said the member.