There are strong indications that Cross River State has pulled out of hosting this year’s Athletic Federation of Nigeria and Cross River All Nigeria Athletics Championship, which also serves as Team Nigeria track and field athletes’ trial to major games and championships.
The 2015 edition of the championship, 69th in the series, serves as trial for the Beijing 2015 IAAF World Championships and Brazzaville 2015 All Africa Games. But sponsor of the event, Cross River State Government, is yet to meet its financial commitment to AFN less than two weeks to the championship. The state government signed a five-year deal with AFN, which they have been faithful to in the last four editions, but doubts now surround this year’s championship.
According to AFN calendar, the meet is to begin on July 30 and end August 1. Speaking to Saturday Telegraph, a member of the board of AFN, Olukayode Thomas, said the silence from the state was giving the federation cause for concern. “Last week, we sent a board member to Calabar, they promised to give us a definite answer by July 15 (last Wednesday).
When we contacted them on the agreed date, they were still evasive on the readiness of the state to meet its contractual obligations. “Even if they don’t want to renew the contract, let them honour the five-year deal they signed with us. “Failure of Cross River to honour this agreement will not only affect our preparation for the World Championships and the All Africa Games, it will also affect the career of many athletes. We therefore appeal to the government to tow the path of honour,’’ Thomas said.
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