Due process to be followed before any athIete is sanctioned – AFN Technical Director, Onikeku

The AthIetics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Technical Department says due process must be followed before any athIete is sanctioned.

The AFN made this clarification after some athIetes abandoned their events at the 23rd CAA Senior Championships which ends today in Douala, Cameroon.

Head of the Department and AFN Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku, disclosed this in an interview, in Douala on Tuesday.

Onikeku insisted that discipline has to be carried out but first, due process has to be followed before anyone is sanctioned.

“Except athIetes have serious issues like sickness or injuries, not showing up in your event is a serious thing, but we are investigating it and within 72 hours, it would be concluded and those concerned would be disciplined,” he said.

Onikeku further emphasized that the AFN is very impressed with the performance of athIetes at CAA Championships.

“We are going to surpass our previous performance in Mauritius because we still have chances to win more gold medals at the last day of the competition, I’m optimistic we would come tops,”

Onikeku, strongly believes that Nigeria’s expected performance at the Olympics is getting brighter every day despite all odds.

“The proposed camp in Germany will come up after this championship in preparation for the Olympics. AthIetes are expected to perform better because all of them are working hard to make the team,” Onikeku said.

The President of the Federation, Chief Tonobok Okowa has also expressed gratitude and congratulated the athIetes for bouncing back to win gold in the 4×100m women’s relay event and hoped that the 4×400m women’s relay will turn out good for Nigeria towards picking the vital Olympic slot in the relay event.

The championship which began on June 21st will end today in Douala, Cameroon. Ghana will be hosting the 24th edition in 2026.