‼️Reactions Trail as Soetan Endorses Appointment of Maria Worphil to AFN Executive Board

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 embarrassment of the highest order, tell me what is more embarrassing! They surely have something like honey attracting them to remain highly interested in the affairs of the AFN.”

He went on to criticize the continuous recycling of retired civil servants within sports governance, adding that their influence often suppresses genuine, qualified ex-athletes.

Similarly, National 100m record holder Olusoji Fasuba did not mince words as he expressed his displeasure over Worphil’s appointment: 

“We continue to celebrate people who have stolen from athletes, individuals who tag along to competitions without the slightest clue about athletics.

This is the same woman who, back in 2007, kept promising that she would pay me my ticket money after I reached the finals at the World Championships in Osaka, until the money simply disappeared. 

"News like this makes me question whether honesty truly pays in Nigeria, because what I keep seeing is people who have hurt athletes through mismanagement of resources being celebrated and promoted into positions they don’t deserve and know nothing about.”

Veteran journalist Uzor Odigbo also weighed in, expressing dismay over her inclusion: 

“I believe Olalekan Soetan must have judged her from afar and based on her work on paper, which was mostly lies laid out as truth. Those of us that had her as SG know the kind of person she is and how manipulative she can be. Bringing her into the board is a waste of space and valuable resources. Her inclusion is a slap on those of us that have served this country with pride!”

Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medalist Enefiok Udo-Obong offered a concise but pointed take, saying: 

“Nigeria is playing politics with their athletics.”

Former athlete Ore Ekundayo shared a more reflective stance, noting that: 

“The fact remains… we need people with proven records to change the face of athletics in Nigeria.”

Veteran coach Mutiu Oluwa provided additional context, linking AFFAN’s formation to internal ministry politics: 

“This body of former athletes was championed by a former director or assistant in the Ministry of Sports after losing out or trying to break away from NAWIS. It’s a pity that being a board member is now on desperation frequency. I understand why Soetan used style to bring this information, maybe he couldn’t fight the illegality alone. It’s unlike him to accept such an appointment after the board has already been inaugurated.”

Adding a broader perspective, former national quarter-miler Omoba Abiola Onakoya wrote:

 “Is this a blessing or a curse? The AFN is at another turning point. With Mrs. Worphil joining the board, experience returns, but so do old questions.

"Nigeria’s athletics doesn’t just need familiar faces; it needs fresh leadership, digital reform, and athlete-first governance. Experience should guide reform, not block it. Let’s build a federation that serves the next generation, not one trapped by its past.”

In his response to the wave of criticism, Olalekan Soetan clarified the basis of Worphil’s appointment:

“She, Maria Worphil, didn’t do athletics at international level but Handball. She got onto the AFN board through the new oversight by the National Sports Commission (NSC) to include AFFAN as an Executive seat on all National Sports Federations. Therefore, she’s qualified to join.

"A former handball player turned administrator can still be relevant to the AFN, she understands administrative structure deeply. I’ve worked with her before and can vouch for her competence. Now that she’s retired and back in the federation she once served, we can use her expertise to address the administrative lapses we’ve experienced.”

Former Athletes’ Representative Imah Charles also called for balance in the conversation:

“In all this saga, we don’t understand a lot of positions and reasons behind various appointments. AFFAN is an Executive seat, and someone must be recommended to NSC. Why has no one spoken about the sideline-added board members by AFN who speak more than the elected members?”

Meanwhile, another stakeholder, Abdulsalam Olasukanmi, opted for optimism:

“I can see mixed reactions. Anyway, I wish her and AFN well. I know Lekan Soetan as a pragmatic person, time will tell. Best wishes.”

As the debate rages on, one thing is clear, the appointment of Mrs. Maria Worphil has sparked deep reflection on the state of athletics governance in Nigeria.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria remains a vital institution charged with steering the sport toward renewed hope and excellence. Stakeholders across the country now wait to see whether this latest development will bring the positive transformation the sport so desperately needs, or deepen the cracks within its leadership.

#DynamicAthleticsMedia