Sports
2023 World Championships: FG Tasks AFN On Professionalism
Joel Ajayi
The Federal Government has called on the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to uphold professionalism and ensure strict adherence to the rules governing the selection of athletes that will represent the country at the 2023 World Championships billed for Budapest, Hungary.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar made the call on Thursday even as the national trials continues in Benin City, the Edo State Capital.
The Permanent Secretary who expressed optimism that with the calibre of Members that form the AFN Board, Nigeria is sure to have the best athletes to compete at the World Championships, also advised the athletes to put in their best at the trials.
He assured that the Ministry is committed to providing equal opportunity for all athletes, both local and foreign, to compete at the trials with a view to having the best athletes to represent Nigeria at the Competition.
Alhaji Ismaila stated further that the Ministry will continue to ensure full implementation of the policies and initiatives put in place by the Federal Government with a view to providing opportunities for the youth to develop their sporting talents in line with the policy thrust of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration.
Meanwhile, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), says it will shut the doors to the 2023 World Championships billed for Budapest, Hungary, against any foreign-based athlete who fails to show up for the national trials in Benin City, Edo State.
AFN Secretary General, Rita Mosindi, stated, that any foreign-based athlete who fails to show up for the national trials should consider him or herself out of the trip to Budapest.
“AFN has a policy in the selection of athletes for major competitions, including the World Championships. If you don’t come for the national trials, you won’t go to Budapest. The only condition for the AFN to consider such an athlete for the World Championship is if he or she tenders a genuine case of ill-health. In that case, our medical team has to be notified, and the board has to take a decision on it. For now, no athlete has informed me of his or her absence from the national trials.
“We have only heard rumours that some athletes would not be here for the national trials, but the rules are clear. If you don’t come, forget the ticket,” she said.
AFN’s hard stand came just as 12 USA based athletes trained at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, on Monday in preparation for the event, which the country will use to select its flag bearers to the World Championships.
AFN Technical Director Samuel Onikeku also informed that it is the AFN that will register athletes for the World Championships, thus calling on them to ensure participation at the trials.
Sports
Why We Suspended Cynosure FC For Six months – NLO
The Nationwide League One has condemned the wrong narrative being pushed to the media following the match fixing scandal involving Liberty Lion FC and E’-World FC saying the management is working in accordance with the statute of the league.
It could be recalled that the management of NLO placed a heavy fine on Cynosure FC and upheld the result of the match between Liberty Lions fc vs E- World United FC after the league board concluded that Cynosure fc deliberately committed an act to bringing the game of football in
Nigeria into disrepute by falsely accusing Liberty Lions FC of match fixing without concrete evidence.
The Chairman of Cynosure FC was also suspended indefinitely for a period of 6 months from all
NLO-related events for raising false allegations without substantial evidence
and the Club Cynosure FC was fined N500,000 for an attempt that could destroy
the image of the country’s Football.
In a statement released, the league management of NLO said:, “NLO Disciplinary Committee has thoroughly reviewed the evidence presented. Unfortunately, Cynosure FC was unable to provide sufficient and convincing
evidence to refute the claims surrounding the integrity of the match.
“The referee’s report clearly stated that Liberty Lions FC who started the match with 7 players while the other remaining players joined the match mid way in the first half said
they could not get in touch with all their players in due time to communicate the new change in time for the match hence starting the match with 7 players before the others join mid first half.
“The referee’s decision to start the match with 7 players of Liberty Lions FC is in accordance
with FIFA Rule Law 3. As such there is no reason to say or presume otherwise by Cynosure FC alleging match fixing without evidence.
Evidence also have it that Cynosure FC tried to buy the match but could not succeed after several attempt to lure the chairman of Liberty Lions FC to compromise the match.
The Management of NLO has also warned that they will continue to do all within their power to promote the image of Nigerian football by providing a clean and clear platform the system to excel.
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