...AFN Vice President appeals to sponsors as standards trigger fear
By Maxwell Kumoye and Trust Ittai
The road to the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing has become a battlefield long before the starter’s gun sounds and across Nigeria’s athletics community, the newly released qualifying standards are already triggering fierce debate, anxiety and soul-searching.
From federation executives to veteran journalists and athletics commentators, one message rings loudly, the standards are brutal, cruel, unforgiving and capable of exposing the deep structural cracks within Nigerian athletics.
A leading voice within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Akuchukwu Chineze Aghazu, did not mince words when reacting to the marks set by World Athletics.
“It’s crazy, crazy standards. I don’t know how they expect legitimate athletes to meet those standards without doping,” she declared bluntly.
Her frustration reflects a growing concern shared by stakeholders who believe the qualifying marks may unfairly favour athletes from countries with stronger competition structures and better funding systems.
For Aghazu, the issue goes beyond talent. Nigeria has the athletes but lacks the needed compensations that will help them thrive.
“How do our athletes qualify by ranking if there aren’t enough meets? You see how these things are calculated if they don’t participate,” she lamented.
According to her, nations like Jamaica, Kenya, Botswana and even Liberia have built layers of competitive systems that constantly expose athletes to high-level events, while Nigerian athletes are often left stranded with little access to certified competitions.
“AFN needs quality meets in Nigeria so that our talents can get the world exposure they deserve,” she stressed.
Yet beneath the criticism lies belief, an unwavering belief that Nigerian athletes possess world-class ability capable of conquering the global stage if properly managed.
“I look at athletes running for Bahrain, Qatar and even Canada and others, they all have Nigerian names. That tells you the talent is in our DNA,” Aghazu said passionately.
“What it means is that we are simply not doing enough.”
The Vice President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria is now passionately appealing to corporate sponsors, state governments and board members of the federation to urgently rise to the occasion before Nigeria falls further behind the rest of the world.
Aghazu, in an emotional appeal, is virtually on her knees begging stakeholders to roll up their sleeves and fight for the future of Nigerian athletics.
“Let’s get the private sector involved, let’s get the states involved. Let’s build township stadiums with tracks across the country. The money is there and it is achievable,” she pleaded.
She called for urgent collaboration between the government, the private sector and sports administrators, insisting that athletics development must start from the grassroots.
Aghazu also praised the National Sports Commission for its renewed push to upgrade sporting facilities nationwide, insisting that infrastructure and certified competitions are the only pathways to sustained success.
“We need more World Athletics-certified marathons and races. We need to sponsor athletes abroad to compete with their peers. Kenya does that and we can do it too.”
Veteran athletics journalist Ben Efe agrees the standards are intimidating, but insists some Nigerian stars are already showing signs of readiness.
“The short and long sprints keep getting more competitive every season and World Athletics certainly has to raise the bar,” Efe noted.
“For Nigerian athletes, it is a tall order, but also a call to keep working harder.”
Efe believes several Nigerian athletes are already within touching distance of qualification.
Rosemary Chukwuma, according to him, is virtually assured of qualification in the women’s 100m after clocking 10.95 seconds, while Blessing Ogundiran’s 10.98 means she only needs one more explosive run to break through.
In the men’s sprint events, Efe sees huge promise in rising stars such as Israel Okon, Nick Fakorede, Caleb John and Kanyinsola Ajayi.
“Between now and 2027, they can do much more than 9.95 and 20.07,” he predicted.
Ella Onojuvwevwo also earned strong backing after her impressive performances in the women’s 400m.
“She looks good to go. She’s the only Nigerian woman consistently running below 50 seconds recently,” Efe said.
Then comes Samuel Ogazi, perhaps Nigeria’s brightest quarter-mile prospect.
“He is already operating at the top level and can only get better than the 43.95 he recently ran,” Efe added.
But while optimism exists in some quarters, seasoned commentator Uzor Odigbo delivered perhaps the harshest verdict of all.
After reviewing the standards, Odigbo warned that many Nigerian athletes may simply not be good enough to survive the brutal demands of Beijing qualification.
“The standards gave me assurance that some Nigerian athletes can surpass them,” he admitted.
“However, not everybody can attempt it.”
According to him, years of over dependence on weak local competitions and easy selections have created a culture of mediocrity among some athletes and coaches.
“The 100m and 200m athletes who competed at the CAA Championships in Ghana cannot meet the Beijing standards,” he stated firmly.
Odigbo believes only a handful of Nigerian athletes are currently guaranteed places on merit.
“Tobi Amusan, Samuel Ogazi, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Kanyinsola Ajayi and the relay teams are the athletes Nigeria can confidently take to Beijing. Any other athlete is extra luggage.”
On the field events and throws, however, stakeholders appear united in their verdict, the standards are simply out of reach for now.
Many believe Nigeria’s throws programme needs a longer rebuilding cycle, with serious investments in coaching, facilities and athlete development before competing at elite global standards.
For many within the athletics community, the realistic target for the throws is no longer Beijing 2027, but 2029 and beyond.
They insist the country must begin laying the foundation immediately if it hopes to produce throwers capable of competing with the world’s best in future championships.
Odigbo also urged the AFN to resist lowering standards for sentimental reasons.
“International championships should not become an ATM for lazy athletes and coaches who make teams only to deliver mediocre performances.”
The debate may be fierce, but one reality is now undeniable, the era of easy qualification is over.
For Nigerian athletics, the Beijing standards have become more than just numbers on paper. They are now a vicious test of preparation, structure, investment and ambition.
And unless the country urgently fixes its competition system, develops certified meets and creates pathways for elite exposure, many of its gifted athletes may never get the chance to stand on the world stage.
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