A national quarter-miler, Abiola Onakoya, yesterday appealed for improved welfare for athletes in the country to enhance their performance in competitions.

Onakoya said in a telephone interview in Lagos that attractive welfare packages would motivate athletes to successful outings in national and international competitions.

"For instance, delays in the payment of allowances and other bonuses promised athletes tend to dampen their enthusiasm and this should be stopped. Can you imagine that allowances for the national trials for the London 2012 Olympics were just paid on Dec. 21, 2012 about six months after the Games?

"Such attitude by the National Sports Commission to the welfare of its athletes is one of the hindrances against improved performance and revamping of our athletics," he said. (NAN)

The quarter-miler added that apart from financial incentives, athletes should also be prepared early enough for competitions, both at national or international levels, to guarantee triumph. He warned that any fire brigade approach to the preparation of athletes for national and international competitions will certainly lead to failure. (NAN)