Sports
Sports Fans Blame AFN For Athletes Drug Scandal
Sports fans in Enugu have blamed the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for the three athletes who tested positive to prohibited drugs at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in India.
The fans told newsmen yesterday in Enugu that the federation’s inaction caused their failing the tests and embarrassing the nation.
“AFN is to blame for the use of drugs by the athletes,’’ Ephraim Ochomma, Athletics Chief Coach, Enugu State Sports Council said.
“Indeed, they made nonsense of the medals they won at the Games. The athletics team was an embarrassment to the nation.
“The president of the federation, Solomon Ogba, should accept responsibility for their disgracing the country and resign.
“AFN did not handle the competition properly. There was no seriousness in their preparation at all, hence they were desperate to take drugs to succeed,’’ he said.
Ochomma criticised the non-selection of coaches from the South-East to participate in the Games, saying the preparation was haphazardly done.
He wondered why a top sprinter like Obinna Metu was not included in the team to the Games when he posted 10.2 secs at the Mobil Track and Field Championships.
Uche Emedolu, a former World Cup medalist acknowledged that though the athletes tried their best, the preparation was poor.
“I can tell you they went there individually. There was no encouragement, no support and motivation,’’ Emedolu said.
“The result they had in New Delhi was not encouraging. It did not show that Nigeria participated at the Games.
“It was as if only Para-sports athletes were at the Games for Nigeria,’’ he said.
According to him, there should be adequate education and early training for the athletes to improve their fortune in future competitions.
“Proper education, provision of incentives and early preparation are the basic things a sports person needs to excel in any competition.
“During our time, there was determination and adequate education. We prepared early enough to face any competition. That was why we succeeded,’’ said the former Commonwealth Games silver medalist.
He described as unfortunate the involvement of some athletes in prohibit drugs and blamed the Federation for it.
Emedolu, however, advised young athletes to shun drugs while participating in competitions
Ikechukwu Okoronkwo, former Light Welterweight Boxing Champion, said the athletes who excelled did so through self effort.
Okoronkwo explained that they could have done much better, if they were trained properly.
On the doping test failed by three Nigerian athletes, he said: “The AFN must be questioned over their role in it’’.
Okoronkwo said that those who tested positive might have been tempted to take drugs to gain confidence to face their opponents.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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