Gumel tasks AFN on Athens Olympics

Speaking with nigeriasports.com, in Lagos, Gumel said track and field events are the ‘showpiece of the Games and also one of the sports the country expects would fetch gold medals.

He stressed that Nigeria has only nine slots in the athletics event, adding that he want them to utilize the chances given to them very well.

‘‘We were given only nine slots in the track and field event and I want the athletics that will be representing us in Athens to use the slots well. If they can win at least seven or eight slots out of nine which is good and I hope they can keep to the standard,” he said.

Nigeria track and field trials comes up July 8-10 at the Abuja National Stadium to select athletes that will represent it in Athens.

President of AFN Dan Ngerem, believes the best of the country will be selected although he had expressed regrets over the Sports Ministry’s inability to pay training grants to the elite athletes.

“With barely two months to Olympic Games, none of my elite athletes have received a dime as training grant towards their preparation for the Games. Now, they all running all over the place hoping to earn a living, on what moral authority do I have to stop them running, when we cannot assist with their training,” he said.

By Bibian Onwugbolu