Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN president, Solomon Ogba is laid low in Abuja as funds needed to run a comprehensive programme for the London 2012 Olympics are slow in coming from government coffers.

The federation had planned to start an early preparation for its athletes ahead of next year’s Olympics, but that effort seem doomed to fail. This is because the National Sports Commission, NSC is yet to secure funds from the appropriate government quarters due to politicking between the executive and legislative arms of government over budget allocations.

“Ogba and indeed other Olympic sports association chairmen are here in Abuja trying to get funding for their programmes. It is a pathetic situation as it appears there is no hope for now,” said a member of the AFN who requested anonymity.

He said that the federation wanted to start early camping of its athletes so that the chances of Nigeria winning medals at the Olympics are not limited.

“The NSC has been able to pay for accommodation for the camping, but that is all for now. It has been difficult and we have developed a wait and see attitude,” said the AFN official.

He added that even the N50m grant approved by the House of Assembly for Olympic Sports last year is not forthcoming.

“That was only an approval. Nothing is just forthcoming and we need to get prepared for the Olympics. We are already lagging behind other countries.”

At the last Olympics in Bejing in 2008, athletics fetched Nigeria two bronze medals. They were won by the women 4x100m quartet (featuring Damola Osayomi, Frank Idoko, Gloria Kemesode and Halimat Ismaila) and long jumper Blessing Okagbare.

Abugan plans comeback

By KATE OBODO
Suspended quarter-miler, Folasade Abugan disclosed that it was not all over for her in track and field adding that she would stage a return after the dope clouds hanging over her are cleared up.

Abugan was stripped of her silver medals won in the 400m flat and 4x400m relay at the New Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games after testing positive to banned steroid, testosterone. She is eligible to return in 2012, but it is unclear if she has cleared herself with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria after her dope hearing ended in a controversy.

“Yes I will return. I have not finished with athletics yet,” the athlete responded during a chat.

Abugan who was Nigeria’s leading women quarter-miler was the the third Nigerian athlete to fail a drugs test at the Delhi event . Damola Osayomi and Samuel Okon were the others and have returned to competition as their offenses carried a lighter sentence having tested to stimulants.

Abugan caused a stir when she alleged that it was AFN secretary-general that introduced the dope supplier to her.