The fate of Nigerian athletes is hanging in a balance following the reluctance of the Cross River State government to host the National Trials, which is billed to hold from July 30 to August 1 at the state capital, Calabar.
The competition tagged ‘Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN)/ Cross River All Nigeria Athletics Championship’, is meant to serve as Team Nigeria’s trials to major games and championships, such as the IAAF World Championships and All-Africa Games taking place this year.
The 2015 edition of the championship is to be the 69th in the series, but sponsor of the competition, the Cross River State Government, is allegedly yet to meet its financial commitment to AFN less than two weeks to the championship.
The state government signed a five-year deal with the federation and has been faithful in the last four editions; however doubts still trail this year’s event, which is meant to be the last edition according to the mutual agreement.
Olukayode Thomas, a member of the AFN board and Head of its Media and Communications department revealed that the federation has contacted the state government on many occasions without getting a positive response.
He said, “Last week, we sent a board member to Calabar; they promised to give us a definite answer by July 15, 2015.When we contacted them on the agreed date, they were still evasive on the readiness of the state to meet its contractual obligation.”
Thomas appealed to the state government not to breach a legal agreement: “Even if they don’t want to renew the contract, let them honour the five-year deal they signed with us. The failure of Cross River to honour this agreement will not only affect our preparation for the World Championships and All Africa Games; it will also affect the career of many athletes. We therefore appeal to the government to tow the path of honour.”
