Dynamic Athletics

The Athletics community in Nigeria has been set abuzz with mixed reactions following the endorsement of Mrs. Maria Worphil’s appointment to the Executive Board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) by Olalekan Soetan, the Southwest Zonal Representative and member of the AFN Technical Committee. In what began as a congratulatory message from Soetan welcoming Mrs. Worphil, who joined the AFN Board as the representative of the Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN), quickly spiraled into a heated debate among athletics stakeholders, ex-athletes, and administrators on Facebook. Veteran former athlete and UK lawyer Oyiki Orode was among the first to question the legitimacy of AFFAN’s role and representation, saying:  “Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN). When was this body formed? Of all the arrays of former athletes we have, it is a former handball player that is qualified to represent them as Executive member of the AFN? If this is not an ...

 OLALEKAN SOETAN WELCOMES MRS. MARIA WORPHIL TO THE AFN EXECUTIVE BOARD Olalekan Soetan, Southwest Zonal Representative and Member of the Technical Committee of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has congratulated Mrs. Maria Worphil on her appointment to the AFN Executive Board as the Representative of the Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN). In a statement personally signed by him, Coach Soetan described her inclusion as “a gain for competence, structure, and reform-minded leadership,” noting that her wealth of experience and deep institutional knowledge come at a crucial time for the Federation’s continued growth and stability. Mrs. Worphil, a retired Director from the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the longest-serving Secretary General of the AFN, was honoured in 2019 by World Athletics (then IAAF) with the prestigious Veteran Pin Award for her outstanding service to athletics. Her background as both a former international athle...

 AFN President Okowa Reiterates Commitment to Podium Finish at 2026 Commonwealth Games The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, has reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s elite athletes achieve podium finishes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Chief Okowa made this known shortly after a strategic stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja, where preparations for the Games and lessons from the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, were extensively reviewed. According to him, the AFN, working in collaboration with its sponsors and with continued support from the National Sports Commission (NSC), will provide athletes with all the necessary backing in terms of training, welfare, logistics, and other essential needs. “We commend our athletes for giving Nigeria a positive image in Tokyo,” Okowa said. “The country reached four finals, the men’s 100m, women’s 100m hurdles, men’s 400m hurdles (where a national record w...

The technical director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Gabriel Okon, has enthused that athletics can  strongly and favourably impact on the Nigerian sports economy. Okon, who just returned from the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, noted that Nigeria is endowed with numerous talented athletes that are making positive strides in promoting the country's image internationally. The former Nigeria International athlete, has therefore, called on the National Sports Commission (NSC) to take concrete steps in providing sufficient financial support for the development of these athletes. "As of today, Tobi Amusan, Nigeria's 100mH World Champion, holds a record time of (12:12s.) by propagating Amusan's achievement, Nigeria can encourage others to take up sports  but this endeavor requires substantial funding,” said  the former sprinter.“ "Examples from South Africa, Jamaica, and other nations demonstrate how world-class athletes can drive sports developme...

AFN Unveils Selection Criteria for Tokyo 2025 World Championships 10 August 2025, The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has officially announced the guidelines for selecting athletes to represent the country at the World Athletics Championships scheduled for next month in Tokyo, Japan. In a statement signed by the AFN Secretary-General, Israel Inwang, and released on Sunday, the federation stated that only athletes who meet the World Athletics Entry Standard or are ranked within the top 20 in the World Ranking Quota will make the team. According to the AFN, the new criteria, effective immediately, are designed to ensure that only committed and high-performing athletes don the Nigerian colours, while also promoting team spirit, discipline, and professionalism. “All stakeholders are urged to ensure full compliance with these directives,” the statement read. “The AFN remains committed to supporting dedicated athletes who demonstrate both athletic excellence and professional conduct.” ...

 AFN Clears Air on Nse Uko’s Whereabouts Violation The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has formally responded to public reactions surrounding the recent two-year ban imposed on Imaobong Nse Uko by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of World Athletics for anti-doping violations. Nse Uko was sanctioned for three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period, a breach of anti-doping regulations. The AFN has, however, clarified that the responsibility for whereabouts filing lies solely with the athlete.  “Elite athletes are required to submit accurate and up-to-date whereabouts information quarterly. This includes their home address, email, phone number, overnight accommodation details, and daily activity schedules such as training and school locations with timeframes,” the Federation stated. According to the AFN, Nse Uko’s failure to fulfill this obligation led to the sanction, which will run until July 2026. “Providing whereabouts is not only a rule, it’s a right for clean...