Sports
Athletes Shun Akure League Over Prize Money
Some track and field
athletes have threatened to boycott the Nigeria Athletics Federation (AFN) organised Golden League scheduled for Akure.
The athletes told newsmen in Lagos that the prize money for the two previous competitions in Abuja and Ilorin had not been paid.
The AFN’s league is organised every two weeks in different states to harness talents for national assignments.
The winner of the first position is to earn N40,000 and the second N30, 000, while the third and fourth positions are to get N20, 000 and N15,000 respectively.
The fifth placed athlete is to earn N10,000 and the sixth to get N5,000, while the first place winners in relay are to get N30,000, second N25, 000 and third N20,000.
Temidayo Oshunbanjo runs 100m hurdles, Eze Anayo who does 800m and Abike Egbeniyi for 1,500m women.
The athletes, who claimed to be speaking for their colleagues, said they were tired of unfulfilled promises by the organisers over their outstanding prize monies.
Oshunbanjo, a gold medalist from the Abuja event in April said: “As a professional, I am supposed to live from my career and not promise.
“From the kick-off of the league in Abuja, no prize money has been given to anybody, we all expected the money at the Ilorin event two Saturdays ago but to no avail.
“The Akure event will be a show down on individual basis devoid of conspiracy, the athletes are poised to down tool to drive home their demand,” Oshunbanjo said.
Anayo, also a gold medalist in the 800m of the league at Ilorin said: “We have had enough of their unfulfilled promises and we don’t live on pledges, they should pay us now.
“The consternation you see us express cut across the ranks of the participating athletes, it is quite regrettable that such a thing is happening now,” Anayo said.
Egbeniyi, a bronze medalist of the competition said that AFN should make the welfare of athletes their topmost priority.
“With the feelings around the athletes only all-comers will be at the Akure event.
“The professional athletes are tired of misleading promises from the organisers and will not be part of the third leg of the league in Akure unless we are paid,” she said.
Meanwhile, Uruemu Adu, Assistant Secretary, Athletes Coaches Association, said the issue of athletes prize money had been resolved by the AFN and that they would be paid at Akure.
Adu told newsmen that there was an issue about who should be handed over the cheque.
“The issue has been resolved by AFN without the knowledge of the athletes, the initial problem had to do with who should AFN hand over the cheque to.
“Because the coaches are entitled to some percentage of the prize money,’’ Adu said.
He said the federation was using the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) guideline of 25 per cent to coaches and 75 per cent for athletes to resolve the issue.
According to him, the issue was resolved after the Ilorin event with the athlete’s representative Falilat Ogunkoya.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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