The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has declared that the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Australia tagged, ‘Gold Coast Games’ is not for athletes who are not serious as it is no longer a jamboree.
The Federation which reversed its decision to stop athletes from competing in the Commonwealth Games trials over affiliation fees, noted that only athletes who could win honours for the country would be taken to the Games.
The Technical Director of the Federation, Mr. Sunday Adeleye, who made the disclosure during the Commonwealth Games trials in Abuja recently said the decision to allow the athletes was in the interest of the country.
He, however, said it was compulsory for all participating states to pay the sum of N100, 000 a year as affiliation fee.
“It is mandatory states pay and I think they have started making the payments just as the AFN pays the IAAF,” he explained.
Adeleye said the AFN anticipated a higher standard at the Commonwealth Games and called on the athletes to step up in their training.
“It is not going to be jamboree as usual. To whom much is given much is expected from. We are going to Gold Coast to equal our past outings if not better them, so every athlete must give out his best,” he concluded.
