The Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare and long-term interests of Nigerian athletes, insisting that no agreement entered into by an athlete is cast in stone.
President, Chief Tonobok Okowa says the Federation is closely monitoring agreements involving Nigerian athletes and will intervene where such deals are considered detrimental to the athlete or the interests of Nigeria.
Okowa, who is also a Senior Vice President of the Confederation of African Athletics, CAA insists the welfare of athletes remains a key component of the Federation’s responsibilities.
He clarified that the AFN has not entered into any agreement with agents or agencies to provide scholarships to Nigerian athletes, urging athletes and their families to exercise caution before committing themselves to any arrangement.
The Federation also stressed that athletes who are minors should not enter into agreements without the knowledge and consent of their parents or legal guardians.
The AFN disclosed that it has advised an athlete to terminate an agreement involving an agent and a school after determining that the arrangement was not in the athlete’s best interest and could be inimical to the interests of Nigeria.
Okowa further said that the Federation would continue to scrutinise agreements involving Nigerian athletes, particularly those involving foreign institutions, agents and other third parties.
He noted that while foreign scholarships and training opportunities can provide valuable platforms for athletes to combine education with elite-level development, such arrangements must not undermine their careers or their responsibility to represent Nigeria.
The AFN President urged athletes and their families to seek proper advice before signing agreements and assured them that the Federation would continue to protect their interests while ensuring that opportunities presented to Nigerian athletes contribute positively to their development.