Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN technical director, Omatsheye Nesiama has stated that only world standard performances will earn athletes reward in the Golden League series that begins today in Sagamu, Ogun State.

According to Navy Commodore Nesiama, this is one of the new guidelines meant to boost the quality of the competition and make athletes work harder at increasing their performance levels.

File photo: Athletes

“We have set new standards for the Golden League. It is going to be performance based and once the athletes meet the set standard, they automatically qualify to receive incentives no matter their placing in the Golden League,” Nesiama said.

The Golden League events for this year include 100/200m, 800m, 5000m, 100m hurdles, triple jump, shot put, discus, 20km walk and 4x100m/4x400m relays for the women. The men events are 100/200m, 800m, 10,000m, 400m hurdles, long jump, javelin, hammer 4×100/4x400m relays.

Athletes are expected to score 1050 points on the IAAF table to enable them qualify for any financial reward in the new rule. During the competition the first position will attract 10 points, second position 8 points, third position 6 points, fourth position 4 points, fifth position 2 points and sixth position 1 point. Any athlete who meets the A standard of the world championships qualification will get 10 points bonus, while a national record breaking performance will get 20 points bonus.

Commodore Nesiama said all winnings for last year’s Golden League has been paid contrary to claims by some athletes that they haven’t been paid for their 2012 sweat.

“As far I as know, all payments from last year’s races have been paid. Any athlete who has not gotten his or her entitlement needs to contact the secretariat,” he said.