President, Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Toniobok Okowa, says the federation suspended the Kwara State Athletics Association from all athletics activities in Nigeria after it engaged a banned coach in it’s activities.
The suspension, according to the AFN, is due to the association’s activities with Hammid Muritala, a track and field coach banned from athletics activities by the Nigeria Anti-Doping Committee. Muritala was banned for anti-doping rules violation for a period of 10 years.
“This action also amounts to a violation of Rule 2.9 of World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules,” the AFN said in a statement.
The athletics body added that the suspension “shall remain, pending the outcome of further investigations.”
Okowa told Sunday PUNCH that the AFN had to take the action so that they won’t fall foul of the World Athletics rules and regulations.
“This is someone the NADC and World Athletics had suspended. Seeing him around athletics activities means we are aiding and abetting him,” Okowa told Sunday PUNCH.
“He is violating the rules guiding suspension and that’s not good for us. He’s supposed to keep away. So, why would the Kwara association engage him and keep him in the midst of the athletes?
“If we don’t do this, it will look like we are encouraging him to do it. I don’t want to be part of it.
“Already, the issue is trending in the media, the WA is aware of it and the mischief makers are trying to hammer the AFN on it. So, we took the decision on Saturday.”
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