No national trials, no ticket to Budapest, AFN tells foreign-based athletes

[FILES] Oluwatobilola Amusan is one of Nigeria’s medals hopes

• Amusan, Onwuzurike arrive today • 12 U.S.-based stars train in Benin

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), yesterday, threatened to shut the doors to the 2023 World Championships billed for Budapest, Hungary, against any foreign-based athlete who fails to show up for the national trials in Benin City, Edo State.

AFN’s threat came just as 12 U.S.-based stars trained at the Samuel Ogbamudia Stadium, Benin City, yesterday, in preparation for the event, which the country will use to select its flag bearers to the World Championships.

Today is arrival day for the championship, which begins tomorrow and ends on Thursday.

AFN Secretary General, Rita Mosindi, told The Guardian, yesterday, that any foreign-based athlete, who failed to attend the national trials, should consider him/herself out of the trip to Budapest.

“AFN has a policy in the selection of athletes for major competitions, including the World Championships. If you don’t come for the national trials, you won’t go to Budapest.

“The only condition for the AFN to consider such athlete for the World Championship is, if he or she tenders a genuine case of ill-health. In that case, our medical team has to be notified and the board has to take a decision on it. For now, no athlete has informed me of his or her absence from the national trials.

“We have only heared rumour that some athletes would not be here for the national trials, but the rules are clear. If you don’t come, forget the ticket,” Mosinde stated.

AFN Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku, also warned the athletes that plan to shun the trials. He said: “Some of the athletes feel that they have already qualified for the World Championships with A