The Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, were put under the spotlight on Friday night, after Tobi Amusan uploaded a clip on her social media page.
Amusan recorded a video of the kits she received from the AFN ahead of the 2025 World Athletics Championship in Tokyo, Japan.
The World record holder and reigning 100m hurdles champion, described the choice of kits as inferior and inadequate.
In the clip, Amusan could be seen unboxing the kits in paper bags, which didn’t indicate it was specifically designed for Nigerian athletes.
For comparison, athletes from other countries receive top quality training and racing kits already placed in suitcases.
As it is now, I have to wear an adidas black tight,” Amusan said in the video.
I will show you what Jamaica did for its athletes. When I tell you that Jamaica is in the same WhatsApp group as Nigeria, but they are not as bad as Nigeria.
“For instance, all the other countries gave their athletes two kits for this competition.
But Nigeria brought inadequate and inferior kits. This country (Nigeria Athletics Federation) is really embarrassing.”
The video has led to mixed reactions from observers, with a few insisting that Amusan shouldn’t have brought it to public domain.
But Ope Adebari, a sports analyst, reporter and producer with News Central, begs to differ.
“I think it was okay for her to post it,” Adebari tells Newsmen.
As a human being, I assume she as well as many other athletes have complained for years and there are no changes.
“There are consequences for certain actions and the Athletic Federation of Nigeria are reaping what they have sown.”
Amusan, who is one of Nigeria’s biggest medal hopes, expressed her disappointment at the embarrassing treatment Nigerian athletes continue to face, saying this is the reason many athletes switched nationality.
Her comments come barely a week after Favour Ofili dumped Nigeria for Turkey.
“It means that the AFN doesn’t learn from past mistakes,” Adebari stated.
It means that the AFN doesn’t care about the welfare of the athletes. It means that the AFN are highly incompetent if they can’t provide the bare minimum for their athletes.”
Amusan’s post also generated rumours that she could be considering pledging her allegiance to another country.
Adebari disagrees.
“I don’t think she will. She’s already a world record holder with Nigeria,” he said.
Most importantly, Tobi Amusan is a highly ranked athlete with a good personal team and sponsors so she is one person that can weather the inadequacies of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria.”
A lot of criticisms have been levelled against the AFN for many years. And it appears no change is in sight.
Adebari has called for a reform of the institution, if athletics and the welfare of athletes will improve.
“The AFN needs a reform,” he said.
They need the right individuals in the right positions who have a mandate to provide growth and development of athletes in an enabling environment, investment in coaching and opportunities to compete regularly.
If the AFN or government can’t bear the total bill to equip the athletes adequately, I think private organisations should be given the opportunities to cater to the needs of the athletes adequately.”
