1 December 2008
Lagos — The disquiet in the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) at the weekend led to full-blown boycott of the 4th Obudu International Mountain Race by top officials of the athletics body in the country.
Apart from the fact that the Violet Odogwu-Nwajei led board refused to honour invitations from the Local Organising Committee of the race, top Nigerian marathoners were also threatened with ban if they go to Obudu to compete in the highest paying road running competition in the continent.
Coach Kolo Mohammed who is the main person in charge of the marathoners in the country was also warned to stay away or risks an indefinite suspension from all AFN organised events.
AFN's desire to scuttle the annual event also led to the Maria Wophil led secretariat to refuse to submit the entries made on-line by athletes willing to compete in the race.
As a result of this, LOC officials were in a quandary on what to do with the bulk of mostly Plateau and Bauchi marathoners who showed up at the Utanga secretariat of the LOC to collect bips and running shirts.
THISDAYSports further learnt that intervention by LOC boss William Archibong on the matter made it possible for the willing marathoners to compete.
Further checks revealed that disagreement between the LOC officials and the AFN secretariat on the amount to be given to the athletics officials was the main reason for the boycott.
While the LOC is insisting that Cross River State is the main sponsor, AFN should not dictate to her what amount to be given for technical matters and other sundry spending
"Every year, we face this kind of problem. AFN is always demanding for money and want to be in control of the budget. I don't know where such is done. We give them what they need for technical matters, yet they keep demanding for more. Do we even know what they do with the amount we've been giving them since the commencement of the competition four years ago," fumed Patrick Ugbe, spokesman of the LOC.
To corroborate Ugbe's revelations, Archibong told THISDAYSports that last year, the state government had to get in touch with the Minister of the National Sports Commission (NSC) before the AFN agreed to be part of the international mountain running event.
"AFN is proving very difficult for the organisation of the race. We had to get the NSC involved before they agreed to be part of it last year. We pay for everything, yet they keep up this kind of attitude towards the competition they ought to be happy about. How many competitions have they organised this year? Is this how to encourage the private sector and the states to help in sports development? Which corporate body will be treated this way and will want to come back and do business with such people?" stressed the LOC boss.
Interestingly, AFN's 2nd Vice-President Jide Josiah who stood in for the federation told THISDAYSports that he was at the event because he is a member of the LOC and not representing the federation.
"I came into Obudu as a member of the LOC. I was appointed on merit because the Governor was very impressed with how I solved most of the problems that cropped up at the athlete camp in Utanga last year. AFN has Sunday Bada, the technical director and another slot for representation on the 20-member LOC board. I have not seen any of them here nor did they attend any of the meetings called by the LOC," hinted Josiah, a P.hD holder in physical and health education.
The AFN board member admitted that he was told that the secretariat slammed a ban on coaches and Nigerian top runners not to go to Obudu but such directive could not be applicable to him as a board member.
"It was not the decision of the board. I do not see how the secretariat will be working towards scuttling an event that will empower Nigerian runners all in the name of some selfish motives. Nobody can stop me from rendering my service. Besides, how many trips have the federation taken me to warrant anyone telling not to come here,"
Josiah further revealed that most trips he made to competitions where Ekiti born athletes like Damola Osayomi and Olusoji Fasuba were competing have always been borne by Ekiti State Government."
At the Obudu race at the weekend, Plateau runner Janet Dung who finished as the first Nigerian and 10th overall, collected $4,000 (N472, 000) for her efforts as prize money. Ladi Heney Jah and Genevive Njoku were also rewarded with $1,500 and $1,000 respectively.
It was the same for the first three male Nigerians to hit the finish point. Soldier boy, Jubre Stephen, Danjuma Gyang and Obanliku-born Edwin Ayeline Otiva reached the finish line in that order and also collected prize money like the ladies.
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