Ezinne Abba Does Not Have Automatic Ticket To World Athletics Championships
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, has described as unfortunate Ezinne Abba’s outburst, blaming the Federation and the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare for her inability to make Team Nigeria’s list to the World Athletics Championships which start on Friday in Oregon, USA.
“It has always been my dream to compete for nigeria on the world stage. but, despite reaching the World standard, flying to nigeria alone, switching my allegiance from the US, and mentally/physically preparing myself after my first ever hamstring strain, the Athletic Federation of Nigeria has failed me. the negligence and egocentric actions of the minister and other admin have once again overcome the federation which negatively affects the athletes,” Abba, a sprinter, posted on her Istagram page after the AFN notified her that she won’t be competing for Team Nigeria at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon.
“Why am I being told 40 minutes before my flight to oregon, the week of competition, that i’m no longer competing because of their wrongdoings and irrational fear? i have already passed 2/3 drug tests, but for some reason, i am not allowed to do my third test because of “fear of failure.
“They speak repeatedly about trying to fix the broken system that is nigerian athletics by firing and hiring all new staff, but the corruption still lives. I, unfortunately, will not be competing at Worlds or the Commonwealth Games.”
AFN Secretary General, Prince Adisa Adeniyi Beyioku says Abba, should know she cannot force herself into the team after failing to compete in any individual event at the Nigerian Championships in Benin City last month.
“Miss Abba did not compete in any individual event at the Nigerian Championships in Benin City which was used as selection trials for both the World Athletics Championships and the Commonwealth Games.
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This means her selection will no longer be on merit but at the discretion of the AFN,” said Beyioku in a statement on Wednesday.
The AFN Secretary General says athletes who did not come for the trials or did not compete for whatever reason should know they no longer have automatic tickets to compete either at the World Athletics Championships or the Commonwealth Games.
“Miss Abba has not also completed the mandatory three out of competition tests for the championships as she was not under the radar of the Nigerian anti-doping agency until recently when her change of allegiance from the United States of America to Nigeria was granted by World Athletics.
“The AFN is appalled that Miss Abba has dragged the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare into a matter that is 100% at the discretion of the AFN.
The Sports Ministry does not interfere in the running of the Federation.’
Beyioku says the Federation will refer Miss Abba’s unguarded outbursts to its Disciplinary Committee for necessary action.
“She should have known her selection is not automatic and must explain why she chose to publicly drag the name of the AFN and the Sports Minister in an inappropriate manner.”
Beyioku says representing Nigeria is subject to meeting laid down rules and regulations. The AFN will not condone any misguided outburst from any athlete.
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