Nigeria Content Online

The Nigerian
athletics season began today at the Shagamu Stadium in Ogun State, with
the 1st All Comers event and 10km Road Race.

While most athletes
say they are happy that they can now hit the tracks and fields to
compete after the drought of activities since the finals of the Golden
League Meet in Oghara Delta State, seven months ago, they however
expressed dismay at the “no prize money tag” the federation have
labelled the season’s opener.

Former African High
Jump Champion, Doreen Amata, who is making a return to action after a
look layoff, said she was using the event to get back in shape but
reasoned that the federation should have encouraged the athletes with
some cash incentives. “For most of this athletes, they are just
struggling to make ends meet,” she said. “Some prize money will have
helped their plight.”

In a statement from
the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, athletes and officials from the 36
states and clubs going to the event were advised to be prepared to fund
their stay during the two-day competition starting today at the Shagamu
Stadium. The statement said that the federation had sent a letter out
last week to all the intending states and clubs, informing them that it
was not in a position to cater for athletes and officials at the event.

The statement,
which was signed by Rita Akande, the Assistant Secretary of the
federation, warned the athletes and officials not to expect the
federation to shoulder their burdens. “There is no meal subsidy for any
athlete,” the statement said. “No transport allowance or accommodation.
Also, no one should come to Shagamu hoping to win any prize money. This
is an all comers event.” Akande added that expenses incurred by any
athlete are to be funded by their states or clubs.

Meanwhile, the federation has listed events to compete for at the
two-day track fiesta to include 60m, 150m, 300m, 600m, 1,000m, 5000m,
60m hurdles, 3000m hurdles. Others include High Jump, Pole vault, Long
Jump, Triple Jump, Short Put, Discuss, Hammer, 4x200m, 4x400m,
Decathlon (Heptathlon for women.