World Athletics Championships: AFN boss Okowa addresses kit controversy

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has dismissed reports of a controversy over athletes’ kits involving World Record holder Tobi Amusan, stating that Team Nigeria is fully equipped and ready for the ongoing 20th World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

In a statement on Saturday, AFN President Tonobok Okowa described the allegations as exaggerated and distracting, affirming that Nigerian athletes have received all necessary provisions. He also spoke on team accommodations, stating that Nigerian athletes are lodged in one of Tokyo’s top hotels with quality meals and sufficient security. He emphasized that the athletes have no cause for complaint.

However, Okowa did not provide specific details or visual evidence of the kits, leaving room for continued public speculation. “The complete kits have been provided. I met with the athletes and the technical team. The issue of Olympic training grants was also raised, and I’m pleased to report that a good number of them have received theirs. They are wearing their new kits,” he said.

He also spoke on team accommodations, stating that Nigerian athletes are lodged in one of Tokyo’s top hotels with quality meals and sufficient security. He emphasized that the athletes have no cause for complaint.

Notably, Okowa did not acknowledge that accommodation, feeding, and travel for qualified athletes are typically covered by World Athletics and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), as is standard for the Championships.

In a related development, Okowa revealed that the AFN is in talks with international sportswear brand HiRacer for a potential sponsorship deal. He noted that HiRacer supplied the current kits under a last-minute arrangement, although no formal agreement has been signed.

He added that some of the confusion may have come from athletes’ personal preferences for specific brands, rather than any failure on the federation’s part.

As part of the federation’s performance incentives, Okowa announced cash rewards of $30,000 for gold medalists, $20,000 for silver, and $10,000 for bronze. He also clarified that the official Nigerian delegation includes 15 athletes, four technical officials, two medical staff, and two administrators—all within the quota approved by World Athletics. Any other Nigerians in Tokyo, he said, are attending at their own expense.