By our reporter 2-8-2025
Athletics Federation of Nigeria president Tonobok Okowa, said there is an urgent need for Nigeria to provide funding for athletics, otherwise the country will continue to lose its talented athletes to other countries.
Okowa who was speaking on the side line of the AFN selection trials for the 2025 World Championships billed for Tokyo, Japan in September, said there are many talented Nigerians who could make the country proud at international meets, but because of poor funding these athletes are drifting towards other countries who offer better opportunities and reward.
“Favour Ofili is good as gone. She’s on the brink of switching to Turkey due to lack of financial support. This is not just about one athlete, more are set to follow if we don’t act fast,” Okowa sighed.
At the world championships and Olympics, athletes of Nigerian descent are often seen winning medals for other countries, while AFN officials count on one or two athletes to fetch medals. At the 2023 World Championships and 2024 Olympics Nigeria failed to win a single medal, despite the fact the country has athletes who could deliver.
Okowa submitted that there has to be massive funding and investments in athlete’s development and adequate preparations for international competitions, if Nigeria is desirous of achieving results and catching up with the rest of the world.