Tobi Amusan Reaches World 100m Hurdles Semi-Finals In Japan As Nigerian Authorities Face Backlash Over Poor Welfare, Kits
Tobi Amusan Reaches World 100m Hurdles Semi-Finals In Japan As Nigerian Authorities Face Backlash Over Poor Welfare, Kits
This comes amid growing anger over poor welfare and shabby treatment of Nigerian athletes by sports authorities.
Nigeria’s world record holder, Tobi Amusan, has stormed into the semi-finals of the women’s 100m hurdles at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
This comes amid growing anger over poor welfare and shabby treatment of Nigerian athletes by sports authorities.
Amusan clocked 12.53 seconds on Sunday to win her heat, finishing ahead of Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton and Italy’s Elena Carraro.
Despite a slow reaction at the start, she quickly took control of the race and dominated to the finish line. She has now been drawn in Heat 2 of the semi-finals, where she will face the Netherlands’ Nadine Visser, the world’s No. 3 hurdler.
But away from the track, Amusan has publicly blasted the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for handing her and other athletes poor-quality kits ahead of the competition.
In a viral Snapchat video, Amusan lamented: “As it is now, I have to wear an Adidas black tight. I go show you wetin Jamaica. When I tell you say Jamaica is in the same WhatsApp group with Nigeria, but dem no worse like Nigeria. Nigeria, all the other countries give their athletes two kits. See wetin Nigeria park give us. This country (Nigeria) is really embarrassing (As it stands now, I have to wear a black Adidas tight. I’ll show you what Jamaica provided. I’ve always said Jamaica is in the same category as Nigeria, but they are not as bad as us. Other countries give their athletes at least two kits. Look at what Nigeria has given us. This country is truly embarrassing).”
Her remarks triggered outrage among Nigerians online.
One user, @Topss, wrote: “You need to see the kits the Nigerian Sports Commission sent to Tobi Amusan for a major competition, it’s so embarrassing to see, we are our own problem smh.”
Another user, Mimi, said: “Tobi Amusan wins Heat 6 despite complaining about poor treatment from AFN, including substandard kits and unfair treatment. She remains focused for the main competition.”
Critics also accused the AFN of embezzling funds meant for athletes’ welfare.
One user, Kahn, wrote: “Tobi Amusan was given a mediocre kit whereas the body embezzled the money allocated.”
Responding to the backlash, AFN President Tonobok Okowa dismissed Amusan’s claims, insisting the athletes were given complete kits supplied by Hiracer, a global sportswear sponsor.
“There is nothing wrong with those kits. Tobi Amusan only brought out one pack out of the pack that she was given. The items came in batches, so they were told that the following day they would receive the rest of the kits. She just brought out only that one kit and displayed it to the world,” Okowa told Sunday PUNCH.
He added that the federation did not spend a kobo, saying: “They even received spike shoes and covers. This company gave us all these things free of charge. We did not pay one naira to them.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Oyesade Olatoye crashed out of the women’s hammer throw event after failing to qualify for the finals.
