The phrase Sword of Democles is described as an impending doom, a situation where someone lives under the threat of a sudden, catastrophic event or danger. That is exactly what Nigeria sports is facing now. In exactly forty eight hours from today if nothing is done to clear the doubts of the Athletics Integrity Unit, AIU of World Athletics, the hammer will fall on the countrys athletics body, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN.
It would be recalled that in July this year, Nigeria hosted the 2025 African U-18 and U-20 Championships in Abeokuta where she featured 17 athletes. Months after, the AIU discovered that 16 of the 17 athletes the country featured at the event had multiple dates of birth in their records with the world body. Shocked by this development, AIU has queried the AFN, asking it to produce documents like birth certificates, international passports, school records or medical files of the affected athletes to verify their true ages.
If they are not able to do this by this Tuesday, the AIU is expected to open a formal investigation into age manipulation against Nigeria. It is a serious violation of the Integrity Code of Conduct and World Athletics Technical Rules. The AFNs Technical Director, Gabriel Okon, who should know, is reported not to be responding to messages and calls from journalists to throw more light on the matter. The buck passing has started. A board member, Dr. Henry Okorie, who was reportedly contacted said that the federation was not aware of the query.
