Coach Oluwa urges AFN to enforce Commonwealth Games Trials rules, introduce prize money

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye 

 

Renowned athletics coach Mutiu Oluwa has called on the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to strictly adhere to its selection guidelines ahead of the Commonwealth Games trials scheduled for June 19-23 at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos.

Speaking on Tuesday during discussions on the Athletics Station WhatsApp platform, Oluwa stressed that the federation must ensure that all athletes seeking a place in Nigeria's track and field contingent to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games participate fully in the trials, including the finals of their respective events.

The experienced coach noted that the AFN had already made participation in the trials mandatory for all athletes aspiring to represent the country and urged the federation not to make exceptions for any athlete, irrespective of status or location.

Oluwa expressed concern over what he described as a recurring trend among some foreign-based athletes who sometimes arrive for trials but seek to avoid competing in the finals after securing qualification marks or posting impressive performances in preliminary rounds.

"I wish the federation will be able to manage the attitude of the foreign-based athletes. They will come with excuses to avoid running the finals," Oluwa said.

Drawing comparisons with leading athletics nations, he argued that strict enforcement of competition rules is necessary to maintain fairness and credibility in the selection process.

"The Americans and other top countries will not register an athlete that did not run the finals," he added.

Beyond the issue of participation, Oluwa also appealed to the AFN leadership to introduce prize money for medal winners and outstanding performers at the trials, believing such incentives would significantly improve the quality of competition.

According to him, monetary rewards would not only motivate athletes to compete through the finals but would also enhance the profile and commercial value of athletics in Nigeria.

"This will increase the market value of athletics in Nigeria," he stated.

"I also wish to appeal to the President to please include prize money in the budget. This will also put more pressure on the athletes. Both home-based and foreign-based athletes will have reasons to run the finals."

The forthcoming trials are expected to attract many of Nigeria's top athletes from home and abroad as they battle for coveted spots on Team Nigeria for the Glasgow Games.

With national selection at stake, the Yaba event is shaping up to be a fiercely contested championship, while calls for strict enforcement of the rules and enhanced incentives continue to dominate discussions within the athletics community.

For many stakeholders, ensuring that every athlete competes under the same conditions could be key to producing a strong and deserving Nigerian team for the Commonwealth Games.