AFN chieftain Okon tasks NSC on proper funding of athletics, athletes

By Tosin Omojola –

The Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Gabriel Okon, believes athletics can strongly and positively impact the Nigerian sports economy, and has therefore called for adequate funding of the federation.

Okon, who just returned from the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, noted that Nigeria is endowed with numerous talented athletes who are making positive strides in promoting the country’s image internationally. He urged the National Sports Commission (NSC) to take concrete steps in providing sufficient financial support for the development of these athletes.

“As of today, Tobi Amusan, Nigeria’s 100m hurdles World Champion, holds a record time of 12.12s. By propagating Amusan’s achievement, Nigeria can inspire others to take up sports, but this endeavour requires substantial funding,” said the former sprinter in a press statement issued by the Chairman of the AFN Media Committee, Maxwell Kumoye.

“Examples from South Africa, Jamaica, and other nations demonstrate how world-class athletes can drive sports development through targeted investments.”

The AFN Technical Director faulted the common excuse of “lack of funds” often expressed by government officials, describing it as retrogressive for the growth and development of athletics in Nigeria.

“We don’t just attend championships, we also learn from how others are achieving podium finishes,” said Okon, who emphasized that countries excelling at the World Athletics Championships and Olympic Games invested heavily in their athletes over multiple seasons.

He argued that sports funding should come from consolidated investment funds rather than yearly budgetary allocations or personal sources, adding that athletes require training grants, competitions, trainers, medical care, equipment, and welfare — none of which should be compromised due to lack of funds.

Okon further noted that countries like Turkey, Qatar, Spain, and Saudi Arabia lure athletes from other nations with substantial funding, leading some to change their names and forgo recognition under their birth countries. He stressed that Nigerian athletics requires significant and consistent funding, as the current ad-hoc approach has hindered many of the nation’s top athletes from achieving podium finishes.