Nigerian sprinter, Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor and other foreign-based athletes want the sports ministry to settle their training grants before the commencement of the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco.
Okagbare was among foreign-based athletes listed by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for the African Games despite their refusal to attend the All Nigeria Track and Field Championships in Kaduna, which served as trials for the African Games.
The 51-man list also has US-based hurdler, Oluwatobiloba Amusan, jumper Ese Brume, who is based in North Cyprus, Doreen Amata, star of the moment, Divine Oduduru, Ogho-Oghene Egwero and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi. Apart from the African Games in Morocco, the athletes will also fly the nation’s flag in this year’s IAAF Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar.
The Guardian learnt yesterday that Okagbare and the foreign-based athletes are insisting on getting their training grants before honouring the invitation to the African Games.An online report quoted Okagbare saying on Twitter: “Who this list help? Can they please tell us what and when we will be getting our training grant, please?”
Okagbare is listed for 100m, 200m and long jump event at the African Games in Morocco.Meanwhile, s source in the sports ministry has revealed to The Guardian that the sum of $5,000 is being proposed as training grant for each foreign-based athlete. The money will cover both the African Games and IAAF Athletics Championship in Doha.
