Nigerian Athletes Voice Frustration Over Poor Support, Urge AFN to Improve Welfare and Competition Plans

Nigerian athletes have expressed strong dissatisfaction over what they describe as neglect by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), calling for better funding, regular competitions, and improved welfare structures to boost their performance.

Several athletes say they are struggling with inadequate financial backing, limited competitive opportunities, and poor preparation systems, which they believe are affecting their growth and chances of excelling at international events.

They urged the AFN to prioritize consistent competition schedules and ensure timely support for training camps, allowances, and travel arrangements. According to them, the lack of proper planning and funding has made it difficult to maintain peak performance levels.

The athletes also stressed that Nigeria has huge sporting potential, but warned that without stronger institutional support, many talented individuals may continue to underperform or consider opportunities elsewhere.

They appealed to relevant sports authorities to take urgent steps to address the issues, improve transparency in resource allocation, and rebuild trust between athletes and administrators in Nigerian athletics.