The criticism from world hurdles record-holder Tobi Amusan regarding the quality and distribution of kits provided to athletes at the ongoing World Championships in Tokyo has sparked reactions, including support from former African sprint champion Blessing Okagbare.
Okagbare emphasized that the issues surrounding kit distribution have been persistent and should not be ignored.
“These kits arrived in Tokyo in 2021, yet the athletes were not given them. It’s absurd to criticize an athlete for pointing out the obvious.
“So what if you bought her a business class flight ticket?” Okagbare posted on the social media platform X.
In another message, she stated that “in 2021, when we secured a top sponsorship deal with a shoe company, those in charge from the M.O.C. and FP, including someone who acted as the federation president despite not holding that position, did everything possible to undermine it.”
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Okagbare’s reference to the ‘business class flight’ came after the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) rejected Amusan’s claims, asserting that she did indeed travel business class to Tokyo.
Amusan, a former world champion, had shared a video on social media before the event, expressing her disappointment with what she considered inadequate and poorly presented equipment.
She compared Nigeria’s arrangements to those of other nations, stating that athletes received plastic bags with limited items instead of proper kit packages.
This situation has highlighted ongoing tensions between Nigeria’s top athletes and sports administrators, with ongoing calls for improved welfare and professional standards in the management of athletics in the country.
