AFN Dismisses IAAF Ban Threat, says Ready to Return ‘Missing’ Dollars

AFN Dismisses IAAF Ban Threat, says Ready to Return ‘Missing’ Dollars

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, has moved to quash rumours of an impending ban by world athletics ruling body, IAAF, following the disappearance of missing grants that’s rocked the nation’s sporting scene.

AFN president, Ibrahim Gusau said the body and the Sports Ministry are making moves to ensure that the IAAF was refunded the $150,000 that was mistakenly paid into its accounts instead of $15,000.

It was gathered yesterday that the AFN secretary-general spent the money on certain “projects,” after obtaining approval from the sports ministry, which, ironically, was responsible for setting up an inquiry to unravel the disbursement of the funds.

But SportsVanguard reports that the AFN president tabled the matter before the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung and has been in communications with the IAAF on how the money will be refunded.

“First of all it was the fault of the IAAF to have overpaid the AFN. The secretary-general thought the money was meant for CAA championships.

“So after getting approval from the Sports Minister, he spent the money on some project,” said an AFN official with knowledge of the matter.

“The secretary-general has documents to show how the money was spent. It was the same sports ministry that approved the spending of the money.

“The AFN president has requested that the minister look into it and also the IAAF has been duly informed about the payment plan.

“I can assure you that the IAAF will not sanction Nigeria because of this. Nigeria has not committed any offence to warrant a ban.”