The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has suspended Kwara State Athletics Association from all athletics activities in the country due to it’s association with Hammid Muritala, a track and field coach banned by Nigeria Anti-Doping Committee.
Coach Muri, as he is fondly called was banned for anti-doping rules violation for a period of 10 (Ten) years for allegedly doping a junior athlete at the National Youth Games held in Ilorin, Kwara State in 2021.
Despite his ban, the coach is said to be parading himself around and coaching athletes at athletics competitions with the knowledge of Kwara State Athletics Association.
According to the AFN, ”this action also amounts to violation of Rule 2.9 of World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules.’
The AFN says the suspension ‘shall remain, pending the outcome of further investigation.’
Meanwhile, some board members of the AFN have lambasted the 1st vice President, Tafida Gadzama, over his declaration yesterday that he was not aware of the suspension placed on coach Muritala.
“Gadzama has just displayed to the entire world that he is only interested in issues that concern money sharing in the AFN. How come he is claiming not to aware of the suspension of a Kwara coach, who is trying to bring shame to Nigeria athletics? It is a big shame that Gadzama is throwing stones at the glass house, which he occupies.
“The Nigeria anti doping committee did it’s finding on the coach and suspended him, The decision was communicated to every board member, including Gadzama, How come he is claiming ignorance of it? He should resign from the AFN board, if he no longer have the interest of Nigeria athletics at heart.”
Speaking further, the AFN board member said; “Gadzama claimed that he saw the suspended coach at the last National Sports Festival in Asaba, How come he didn’t raise the alarm or report to our president? It means Gadzama has been associating himself with a banned coach contrary to World Athletics rules? As I said, Gadzama should resign from the AFN board before the wrath of World Athletics catch up with him, Gadzama and two other officials of the AFN have been working against the board for the past two months now just because Okowa refused to yield to their blackmail.
“They want every kobo that comes into the AFN to be shared instead of using it to take care of the athletes and coaches at competitions.
“The World Athletics Championship is around the corner and every country is preparing their athletes, but Gadzama is only interested in sharing money, which has been his attitude since he became a board member from the days of Solomon Ogba and Ibrahim Gusua, He won’t have that chance this time,” the official stated.
