Athletic Federation of Nigeria has banned two athletes for three years each for their allegedly leading the protest that marred the second leg of its Golden League, forcing the AFN to suspend the competition.
The event was scheduled to take place at the University of Benin with over 600 athletes expected to participate but the athletes refused to compete unless the athletics body review its competition rules.
The athletes demanded a reduction in qualification timing for qualification from 47 seconds to 50 seconds in the men’s 400m.
They also called for the reduction in the qualification timing for the 100m from 10:40 to 11 seconds.
Recently, the AFN adjusted its rule guaranteeing athletes that meet certain standards prize monies. But the athletes argued that regardless of meeting the standards or not there should be monies for athletes that make the finals of their events.
The AFN Technical Director Omatseye Nesiama said the banned athletes – Lekan Soetan (pole vault) and Dinma Amaesimama (hammer) – are to stay away from any athletics event in the country or risk tougher sanctions.
He said, “They should not come to our venues. All athletes are also placed on suspension until they re-apply to the AFN through their clubs and state sports councils.
“We came up with a Code of Conduct for athletes four years ago but what has happened today is a negation of what is in the Code of Conduct, and now we are going to apply the rules and that is what has happened.”
Coordinator of the Golden League and former international, Yusuf Ali, said the development would affect the programmes for the World Championships in Moscow, Russia.
“I don’t understand why the athletes would want to run slower. They were given free accommodation at a three-star hotel and all other things were provided,” Ali said.
“At the Penn Relays in the USA, athletes pay to feature, but have are given them an opportunity to make easy money and they still complain.”