The Gombe State Athletics Association (GSAA) has directed its members and all stakeholders to boycott the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and by extension, the World Athletics events purportedly organised by the North East Development Commission (NEDC).
In a statement made available to The Trumpet by Chairman of the Gombe State Athletics Association, Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, stressed that “on no account should any athIete and NAATO officials participate in the proposed NEDC AthIetics competition originally planned to commence today, October 22, 2024 at the Pantami Stadium.
“It is cogent to note that AthIetics Worldwide have rules of engagement which all stakeholders must obey, therefore, failure to meet the rules by the organisers, the Gombe State Athletics Association has decided to exit from the competition in accordance to the rules of the AFN and by extension the World AthIetics.”
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The statement explained that the Gombe AthIetics Association is boycotting the competition because it falls below athIetics standards in procurement of running facilities, as well as medical and insurance requirements, while its organisers are largely unknown to leaders of the association as facilities for the competition are either sub-standard or non-existent.
It further insisted that all NAATO officials were not formally or officially invited for the competition, adding that the leadership of the Gombe AthIetics Association cannot tolerate under its watch for athletes and athletics to be ridiculed or shamed by ignorant state machineries.
“In the same breath, the GAA leadership has directed its officials not to participate in the event. Failure to heed to the instructions will attract severe sanctions in accordance with the ethics of NAATO. Also, any athlete registered would risk sanctions and more penalties,” the statement reads.