A former technical director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Sunday Adeleye has disclosed how administrative issues block the growth of track and field talents in the country, Sports247 reports.
Adeleye’s confession comes gainst the backdrop of ongoing allegations that the AFN and National Sports Commission (NSC) both erred in their processing of visas for the country’s team to this year’s World Relays Championship in Guangzhou, China; thereby causing Nigeria’s withdrawal from the high-profile competition.
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While not specifically pointing accusing fingers at anyone nor directly linking his verdict to the recent case, Adeleye reckoned that Nigeria’s athletics sector needs a new lease of life.
Sunday Adeleye opined, “I think the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, or athletics generally in the country, needs a total overhaul. We’ve derailed from some of our givings and, looking at our areas of strength, we are no longer strong.”
He then advocated a situation in which new areas of strength are developed, while those aspects that used to earn Nigeria international glory in years past should be worked on to make them vibrant once again.
Adeleye recounted, “Over the years, we’ve neglected the long distance area, and we are now also losing others that belonged to us. So, we have to start looking afresh at those areas and check the technical aspects as well. We should pick it up gradually from there.
“Nigeria is full of talents. We have talents in abundance, and you can even see them on the streets. In fact, your next-door neighbour could be a talent. The problem, though, is converting these talents into stars.”
He concluded by calling for better administrative and technical inputs into Nigeria’s athletics sector, with a view that talented athletes need to be guided by people versed in the rudiments of track and field activities.
“Once you have administrative issues or technical problems, you will find it difficult to channel your talents into actual professionalism. It becomes difficult for them to become professionals in their fields, and those talents are wasted.
“It then becomes a problem for the country. In fact, we have some people who identify those talents, but how you convert them to top athletes becomes the major problem,” Adeleye moaned.
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