By Tayo Ogunseye
A member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Technical Committee Lekan Soetan has resigned from the committee, citing prolonged frustration, concerns over inadequate technical leadership and what he described as questionable priorities in preparations for the forthcoming National Sports Festival in Enugu.
In a strongly worded statement, coach Soetan said his decision to leave the AFN Technical Committee WhatsApp group was not impulsive but followed approximately 18 months of frustration and repeated attempts to contribute to the development of Nigerian athletics.
He expressed disappointment that a committee comprising former athletes and practising coaches had, according to him, failed to translate the experience of its members into meaningful technical direction for the sport.
He also expressed concern over the involvement of senior AFN technical officials in the preparations for the National Sports Festival, arguing that the AFN Technical Director should be directly involved in facility inspections, readiness assessments and resolving athletics-related issues ahead of the competition.
While acknowledging the importance of youth development and international exposure, he questioned the timing of the decision by senior technical officials to travel to the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar Senegal with the National Sports Festival approaching.
He further raised concerns over the reported delegation of technical inspection responsibilities to another official, adding that he had not seen comprehensive technical readiness reports from the committee’s leadership.
Soetan who represents the South-West zone on the AFN board warned that failure to address technical and logistical challenges ahead of the festival could lead to avoidable complications, citing previous experiences at the National Sports Festivals in Asaba and the Gateway Games 2025, where facility completion and equipment availability reportedly created challenges.
He particularly drew attention to concerns surrounding the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, where he said he personally witnessed technical shortcomings during the 2025 African U18 and U20 Championships.
As a member of the Competition Technical Committee at the continental championships, he disclosed that he had to respond to International Technical Delegates who questioned why the stadium’s 400-metre track was approximately 2.5 metres short.
He described the incident as a serious facility-related concern that should have been identified and addressed before the venue was presented for an international competition.
The former decathlete also claimed that the hurdles and landing foams currently being used at the stadium belong to him, raising questions about equipment provision and planning despite public resources committed to hosting major sporting events.
On the condition of the facility, he maintained that despite reported repair interventions, the track remained a concern and appeared incomplete based on his personal observation.
He further warned that technical deficiencies at competition venues could affect the validity and recognition of athletes’ performances, particularly where facilities fail to meet required standards or the necessary technical and ratification procedures are not completed.
According to him, such shortcomings could deny athletes opportunities to have their performances recognised for rankings and qualification purposes, with possible consequences for their sporting careers.
He also disclosed that he had received concerns about the possible use of borrowed or rented equipment for the Enugu National Sports Festival, calling for urgent clarification from the relevant authorities.
The former committee member warned that inadequate technical preparations could result in disputed results, unnecessary expenditure, compromised competition standards and reputational damage to the AFN and festival organisers.
He stressed that athletes and coaches should not be made to suffer the consequences of administrative and technical shortcomings that could have been prevented through proper planning and accountability.
“The warning is straightforward: failure to prioritise technical readiness now may have repercussions far beyond the Festival itself.
Athletes could lose valid opportunities. Results may be challenged or rendered unusable for ranking purposes. Public resources may be wasted on avoidable last-minute arrangements. The credibility of the Federation and host organisers may suffer. And once again, athletes and coaches may be left to bear the consequences of decisions made by administrators and technical leaders.”
Despite his departure from the Technical Committee, he clarified that he would continue to discharge his responsibilities as an AFN Executive Board Member.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to athlete welfare, technical integrity, institutional reforms and the development of athletics in the Southwest and across Nigeria.
As part of his call for accountability, he urged the AFN leadership, National Sports Commission (NSC) and Enugu Festival organisers to urgently provide clarification on five key areas.
These include the current state and readiness of athletics facilities in Enugu, the availability and ownership of essential competition equipment, the technical responsibilities and on-site presence of the AFN Technical Director, the availability of comprehensive technical inspection reports, and measures to ensure that performances at the festival meet recognised standards.
He maintained that his concerns were not driven by personal disagreements but by the need to strengthen institutional responsibility and protect the interests of Nigerian athletes.
He also warned that the country could no longer afford major sporting events where preventable technical shortcomings are discovered only when competitions are about to begin or after athletes have suffered the consequences.
“The time for excuses is over. The time for accountable technical leadership is now,” he declared.
