igerian junior athletes yesterday left Lagos for their respective homes disappointed after their trip to Mauritius for the second African Youth Athletics Championships was botched by the National Sports Commission.
The Championships begin on Thursday, with other top African countries well represented.
Nigerian athletes were expected to fly out yesterday to the Island country to defend the title they won in Warri, Delta State in 2013, but they were unable to travel as the NSC failed to raise funds to cover the trip. It was gathered that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria had written to the NSC, requesting for funds. This was after they had traveled to Ethiopia for the African junior in March with money raised from members.
“It is a shame that Nigeria cannot present a team for the African youth championships. These kids are the future of our sport but see how disappointed they were as they left for their homes yesterday,” said former African long jump champion, Yusuf Alli.
“If it were football the minister will jump into the plane and be there with them. Is this how we want other sports to grow?
“The AFN made representations to the sports ministry and they told us there is no money, even when we have to reduce the team to 11 athletes from 27.”
AFN president, Solomon Ogba had always pulled the strings to get things going. But it was learnt that he is presently out of the country and was expecting to meet the team in Mauritius.
In 2013 Delta State sponsored the training and remunerations of the athletes during the first edition. The NSC did not put a single dime in support of the athletes efforts
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