What should have been a proud moment for Team Nigeria at the 20th World Athletics Championships in Tokyo is fast turning into a national embarrassment.
Star hurdler Tobi Amusan, Nigeria’s World record holder and global athletics icon, has revealed on social media that athletes were handed incomplete kits—without spikes, trainers, warm-up gear, or even a competition bag. Her video has sparked outrage, with many calling it a disgrace.
“By any measure, Nigeria’s presence in Tokyo should inspire pride,” noted SportsNow.com.ng. “This is a team boasting Amusan, three-time Diamond League winner; rising 400m hurdles star Nathaniel Ezekiel; and Ese Brume, a multiple global medallist. Instead, it has become a symbol of mismanagement and disrespect.”
While competitors from other nations arrived with fully equipped professional kit bags, Nigeria’s athletes reportedly received just two basic items, leaving them scrambling for essentials.
This debacle, critics argue, is no isolated incident. It follows years of secrecy and poor governance within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). Back in 2019, a Puma kit sponsorship deal was shrouded in controversy, with details hidden from even board members. Puma later confirmed all payments had been made, yet the kits never reached the athletes. Since then, the AFN has failed to secure any new sponsorships.
The result? Nigerian athletes forced to wash kits between events, borrow equipment, or even compete without the tools their peers take for granted. For many, it is an international humiliation that could have been avoided.
“This is not just a logistical failure; it’s a betrayal of the very athletes who carry our flag on the world stage,” SportsNow.com.ng stated. “No spikes. No warm-up tracksuits. No recovery tools. No dignity.”
The controversy raises bigger questions about leadership within the AFN. Critics argue that if the federation cannot secure basic kit sponsorships with brands like Nike, Adidas or Puma, then it must be overhauled.
“Our athletes are ambassadors, not beggars,” the editorial stressed. “They deserve respect, preparation, and a federation that prioritises their welfare.”
For now, top AFN officials have declined to comment, but with Amusan speaking out, others may soon follow. The pressure is mounting: will the AFN finally act, or continue to let its athletes down?
