‘National athletics coach Olalekan Soetan has issued a strong warning to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, insisting that the sport will continue to face setbacks unless long-standing planning issues are urgently addressed.
In a candid assessment, Soetan expressed frustration over what he described as a recurring pattern of poor organization, noting that the same problems have persisted for years without meaningful improvement.
“This has been known for years,” he said, highlighting the lack of progress despite repeated concerns from stakeholders.
One of the key issues he pointed out is the failure to properly register approved athletics events on the global calendar. According to Soetan, several competitions that had been sanctioned were unable to proceed simply because they were not uploaded to the World Athletics calendar.
For the coach, this is not just an administrative oversight, it is a fundamental flaw that undermines the development of the sport.
“How can events be approved and still not happen?” he questioned, emphasizing the disconnect between planning and execution.
Such lapses, he warned, not only affect athletes who rely on these competitions for exposure and qualification but also damage Nigeria’s credibility within the international athletics community.
Soetan’s criticism reflects a broader concern about governance and efficiency in Nigerian athletics, where issues of coordination and planning have often hindered progress.
He stressed that without a more structured and proactive approach, the federation risks repeating the same mistakes and missing opportunities to develop talent and compete effectively on the global stage.
For athletes, the consequences are significant.
Missed competitions mean fewer chances to qualify for major events, less exposure, and slower development, all of which can impact performance at the highest level.
As calls for reform grow louder, Soetan’s message is clear. Unless planning improves, the problems will remain.
Because in athletics, success is not just about talent, it’s about organization. And without it, even the best athletes can be held back.
