Age Discrepancies Query: Gadzama calls for Okowa's resignation, suspension of Moshindi

Age Discrepancies Query:

Gadzama calls for Okowa's resignation, suspension of Moshindi

… Says AFN has never been questioned on ages of its athletes

Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) first Vice President, Tafida Gadzama has called for the resignation of Tonobok Okowa, President of the federation, and suspension by the Federal Ministry of Sports Development of Rita Moshindi, the Secretary General of the AFN.

Gadzama has also called on the Presidency to probe the AFN over the discrepancies as well as the audit committee report of the federation that indicted the Secretary General and asked Okowa to refund some money taken from the federation.

Reacting to the Athletics Integrity Unit, AIU's query to the Federation demanding for explanations on why four of Nigerian track and field athletes have multiple date of births, Gadzama expressed surprise Okowa and Moshindi could keep the letter from the AIU from some of the members of the board of AFN, especially the two Vice Presidents.

“This is news to me, albeit I am the first Vice President of the AFN. I have asked Mrs Rosa Collins who is the second Vice President and a couple of others and they also expressed surprise that such a damaging information is kept away from them,' said Gadzama, an African and Olympic Games gold medal winner for Nigeria.

The AFN chief is however not surprised with the federation has been queried by the AIU.

“AFN has been turned into a secret cult and when you are obsessed with winning instead of focusing on the development of the sport, this is what you get,” added Gadzama, who insists Okowa should resign to allow for proper investigation by the Presidency not withstanding the fact that AIU is also probing the federation.

“For even getting the AFN to be queried over age discrepancies for the first time since I can recall, I suggest the resignation of Okowa.

“The Sports Ministry should also suspend Rita Moshindi as the Secretary General.”

During my time as an athlete, AFN issued us with licenses renewable every year. The license contained vital information such as our names and date of birth. But since politicians took over the running of the federation, their focus has always been on winning so that they can justify their Presidency,” lamented Gadzama.