By Ben Efe

Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s attempt to organise a trial for athletes it placed on probation for the 2010 Commonwealth Games was almost stalemated yesterday as the concerned athletes refused run.

It was a show of comedy of sorts as the athletes and the AFN camp coordinator, Rotimi Obajimi went back and forth since Sunday, when the trial was scheduled to run at the Yaba Colleague of Technology Sports ground.

The re-run was rescheduled for Tuesday 2.00pm, but the event dragged on till the evening when some of the athletes reluctantly went into the tracks to compete.

Peter Emelieze did a hand time 9.97 seconds, in the men 100m. He ran with Fred Ovie Agbaje.
In the women 100m, it was only Agnes Osazuwa that ran alone. She did 11.24 seconds.

Three women ran in the 400m with Bukola Abogunloko clocking 53. 25 seconds
On the field Melborne 2006 Commonwealth Games silver medalist, Otonye Iworima jumped 13.70 in the triple jump to earn herself a ticket to New Delhi. But there were some skeptics who doubted her jump.
“This trial is uncalled for, after the Mobil Championships in June. It has always been the tradition to select the athletes from Mobil Championships.

“But if the AFN feel strongly about sticking to standard, they should fall back on our past performances,” said one of the athlete.

Camp coordinator, Mr. Obajimi refused to dragged into making comments. He preferred that the AFN officials speak on the matter themselves. The coaches in the camp were not also ready to comment on the matter.

However, AFN technical and performance director said the AFN will meet and review the situation and come out with a position.