By Daily Sports on May 16, 2019

Nigerian athletics is facing an imminent ban by the world athletics ruling body IAAF, following the misappropriation of a US$150,000 grant paid to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

The IAAF had paid the amount in error to the AFN account, but rather than refund the excess $135,000, the AFN and Sports Ministry officials decided to appropriate the money after they got approval from top echelons of the Sports Ministry.

The IAAF in a letter addressed to the AFN and signed by Jee Isram who is senior manager governance, members and international relations, reminded the federation of the need to pay up the money within two weeks or Nigeria will face “appropriate sanctions.”

During Asaba 2018 African Athletics Championships, the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung assured the IAAF that the money would be paid, but up till now, there hasn’t been any reimbursement.

Speaking on the development, former AFN president, Dan Ngerem described the case as a national calamity and disgrace.

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“This is shameful and appalling. A dent on the dignity of the 180m Nigerians.

“It is our collective destinies that have been impinged upon. Now just imagine the kind of reception we as Nigerians will get when we go out to international sports.

“This is a country where the President vowed to fight corruption, and a minister in his cabinet is in the centre of this scandalous conduct?

“This is a calamity and I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the matter and bring those involved to book to serve as a deterrent to others. This is a national embarrassment of great proportion. What is $150,000 for crying out loud?.

“Besides, what’s the business of the sports ministry with the funds? Is this not interference in the federation?” (Vanguard)

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 16, 2019

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