By KATE OBODO

The President of the Nigeria Association of Women in Sports (NAWIS), Gloria Obajimi, has advised on the need for early release of funds for the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN in order for it to execute its programme and as well aid athletes in their preparation ahead of the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The former international sprinter believes that the only way Nigeria can succeed is to start early in order to avoid the usual fire bridge approach. She said, this will be possible if the Nation Sports Commission releases funds early so as to help the AFN and the athletes to ahead of the competition.

“When you are in a system and you understand how the system works, then you will not allow yourself to be cut unaware. Going to the Olympic is not something that is done in a few months and so those that have their projection and goals should be able to represent Nigeria at the Olympics and have been working in other competitions like the World Championship, All African Games and some other events that will be used to assess their preparation.

Everything will climax by the time we do the National trials in Calabar soonest. But that is not when the preparation should have started. Already the athletes are already preparing,” Obajimi said.