Sports

AFN to organize U-13 competition in three centres, probes its finances

Published

1 year ago

September 19, 2023

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, says it will organise three U-13 athletics competition in three centres across Nigeria.

This was one of the resolutions reached at its executive board meeting, held virtually on Saturday September 16, 2023 and presided over by Tafida Gadzama, its First Vice President.

The competition will be funded by World Athletics under its Grant for Growth Under 13 National Athletics Competition project.
The three centres are Abuja, Kaduna and Portharcourt/Enugu.

The AFN executive board also resolved to look into its finances, its income and expenditure since the start of 2023.

This will be the first time in over two decades an executive board of the federation will probe its own activities to ensure transparency and accountability.

The executive board appointed a five member committee led by the First Vice President, Gadzama to look into the books of the federation since the start of this administration viz its income and expenditure and report their findings to the executive board.

Other members of the committee are Mrs Maria Worphil, Mr Victor Okorie, Mr Samuel Onikeku and Mr Dare Esan.

In view of the unsavoury reports in the media of athletes not getting paid by road race organizers in Nigeria, the board mandated the road race committee
to come up with a road running manual to assist road race organisers in getting started or to help produce quality events of an international standard and
define the criteria that must be met in organizing a road running event in Nigeria.

In other decisions reached at the meeting, the AFN board resolved to draw up a Safeguarding Policy in compliance with World Athletics’ demand.

The Safeguarding policy sets expectations as well as defines the specific roles and responsibilities of the federation in protecting our athletes.

Most importantly it gives confidence and trust to our athletes that there are structures and processes in place to report safeguarding abuse.

The board agreed to appoint a safeguarding officer to see to the implementation of the policy without further delay to make our athletes feel safe and
supported.

The board also deliberated on the performance of Team Nigeria at the 19th World Athletics Championships which was held in Budapest, Hungary between August 19 and 27, 2023 and resolved that future participation of athletes in the championships and indeed other international competitions will not be limited to just securing the entry standard set by World Athletics and, as the case may be, the AFN, but also other factors which the technical committee has been mandated to come up with and present to the board for approval.

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Sports

Speaker House Reps, Abbas, Others Thumbs NFF President Over NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and New Training Pitches

Published

3 hours ago

March 19, 2025

The Gleamer

…Says It Will Boost Nigeria’s Economy

By Joel Ajayi

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has commended the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for initiating the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and new training pitches, describing it as a transformational project that will boost Nigeria’s economy.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Speaker Abbas praised the initiative and pledged the National Assembly’s full support.

“This is a noble project, and the National Assembly will give it full support. I congratulate the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, and I thank FIFA for agreeing to fund this project,” he stated while cutting the ceremonial tape.

He also assured the House of Representatives’ support for the visionary leadership of Engineer Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the NFF in other key areas where assistance is required.

Leading the FIFA delegation, Gelson Fernandes (Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer/Regional Director, Africa) reiterated FIFA’s commitment to funding the project, emphasizing that infrastructure development has been a priority since the tenure of President Gianni Infantino began.

Expressing his excitement, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stated that the hostel and training pitches will serve all Nigerian national teams, leagues, and academies.

“Indeed, my joy knows no bounds. From the day my Executive Committee and I were sworn into office in Benin City on Friday, 30th September 2022, I was determined to push this project forward as a legacy for Nigerian football.
“For sustained success, we must provide a conducive environment, infrastructure, equipment, and support systems that enable players and officials to perform at their best.

“Building a players’ hostel and having new training pitches will not only enhance team management but also reduce costs, allowing us to invest more in grassroots development programs.”
Several dignitaries present at the event applauded Gusau’s leadership, determination, and commitment to football development in Nigeria.

The event was well attended by local and international stakeholders, including sports enthusiasts, who witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and Training Pitches.

In addition to the hostel, the project includes:Two new training pitches (one synthetic and one natural grass). Reconstruction of the existing synthetic pitch.

Also, Spectators’ sitting terraces with 1,838 seats.Two dressing rooms for players, each accommodating 27 players.Two dressing rooms for officials.

The construction is expected to last 24 months and is fully funded by FIFA under its FIFA Forward 3.0 programme.

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