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Nigeria’s Athletic body faces a ban from IAAF for ‘misappropriating’ $150,000 grant
$150,000 was erroneously sent to AFN instead of $15,000 and the body couldn't refund the excess nor account for its use.
IAAF always provide an annual grant of $15,000 to all member federations, but $150,000 was erroneously sent to AFN. Upon discovery of the mistake by IAAF accountants, AFN was asked to refund the excess payment but it has not been able to do this.
A local media reported that a member of the AFN and a Nigerian senior athlete confirmed the development. It was said that upon receiving the said amount, the Nigerian body contacted the sports ministry and from then on, what happened to the money is unknown.
“It is true…but I think the AFN secretary-general and the sports ministry officials are in the best position to explain to Nigerians,” said Gabriel Okon - the head coach of Team Nigeria to 16th IAAF World Championships in London.
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Towards recovery of excess remittance to AFN, the IAAF has withheld all further payments to Nigeria and other punitive measures are also being considered by the body.
The rewards of Nigerian athletes for participating in 2017 World Championships have also not been paid by the body. This may also affect all expected earnings due to the country for participating as well as winning a major event at the 2018 IAAF World Championships in the Bahamas later in the year.
“This is the reason we haven’t been paid our winnings at the 2017 World Championships,” said a member of the Nigerian 4x400m quarter.
“We have also not received our winnings at the Bahamas World Relays. Right now I hate to be a Nigerian athlete and I don’t think anyone should blame the kids running to other countries.”
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