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- Tobi Amusan has called out the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for giving athletes poor-quality kits
- Athlete welfare issues have resurfaced again just before the start of the World Athletics Championship in Japan
- National Sports Commission (NSC) has promised support, urging athletes to stay focused and deliver medals at the Tokyo Championship
Following the change of allegiance by sprinter Favour Ofili from Nigeria to Turkey due to negligence by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), the athletics body is in the news for the wrong reasons again.
World record holder and 100m hurdles champion, Tobi Amusan, has called out the AFN for failing to provide proper kits to athletes ahead of the 2025 World Athletics Championship in Tokyo.
Source: Getty Images
In a video shared on Snapchat, Amusan expressed frustration, accusing Nigeria’s sports authorities of embarrassing the country on the global stage.
Amusan rants after seeing Nigeria’s kits
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Amusan didn’t hold back in her criticism after her kits for the 2025 World Athletics Championship was delivered to her, per Sahara Reporters.
Speaking in a mix of English and pidgin, she said:
“As it is now, I have to wear an adidas black tight. I go show you wetin Jamaica. When I tell you say Jamaica is in the same WhatsApp group with Nigeria, but dem no worse like Nigeria.
“Nigeria, all the other countries give their athletes two kits. See wetin Nigeria pack give us. This country (Nigeria) is really embarrassing.”
The 27-year-old compared Nigeria’s preparation with other nations, noting that while athletes from other countries receive well-packaged, top-quality gear, Nigerian athletes are handed kits wrapped in nylon bags.
Athlete welfare concerns raised again
Amusan’s rant highlights an issue that has plagued Nigerian sports for years, which is poor athlete welfare.
Source: Getty Images
Several athletes have previously raised concerns about inadequate kits, unpaid allowances, and poor logistics at international events.
Amusan warned that this is one of the main reasons some Nigerian-born athletes opt to represent other countries where their careers are taken more seriously.
“This is why people switch nationality,” she said. “We can’t keep being treated like this.”
AFN, NSC react as Nigeria targets medals
In response, the National Sports Commission (NSC) reiterated its commitment to supporting Team Nigeria at the Tokyo championships.
According to Punch, NSC Director-General, Bukola Olopade, urged the athletes to focus on their performances despite the distractions.
“We are behind the team. Our athletes have what it takes to make the country proud,” Olopade said.
The 15-member Team Nigeria squad includes Amusan, long jump star Ese Brume, and several other experienced athletes.
The goal is to build on Nigeria’s performance at the 2022 World Championships, where Amusan set the 100m hurdles world record with a time of 12.12 seconds.
Despite the NSC’s assurance, Amusan’s video has sparked outrage online, with many Nigerians demanding better treatment for athletes representing the country.
Amusan opens up on retirement plans
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Tobi Amusan says she planned to put an end to her career.
According to Tobi, the journey has been a tough one for her, and she thought it wise to quit her career if things don’t go smoothly this year.
Source: Legit.ng
