The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has dismissed claims by world record holder Tobi Amusan that athletes were handed poor-quality kits for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, insisting that the hurdler was given the full kits as her teammates and even received special treatment in travel arrangements.

Amusan, who is Nigeria’s biggest medal hopeful at the championships, had taken to Snapchat on Friday night to criticize the distribution of competition gear.

In her post, she lamented that while athletes from other countries received suitcases of apparel, Nigerians were given only “small nylon bags” containing two competition outfits of questionable quality.

“This country will steadily embarrass you. Una come say make people nor switch allegiance? Una never ready!” Amusan said in pidgin. She further complained that despite officials collecting shoe sizes from athletes, no footwear was included, forcing her to consider wearing her own training tights and shoes.

Her outburst immediately sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians recalling past complaints about poor welfare and inadequate preparation of athletes for global events.

The 28-year-old’s frustrations also came on the heels of the nationality switch of compatriot Favour Ofili, who recently confirmed her decision to represent Turkey.

However, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, AFN President Tonobok Okowa rejected Amusan’s allegations, stressing that the federation had provided the full complement of kits in line with the arrangement with Hiracer, a global sportswear company sponsoring athletes from 20 countries at the Tokyo championships.

“There is nothing wrong with those kits. Tobi Amusan only brought out one pack out of the pack that she was given. The items came in batches, so they were told that the following day they would receive the rest of the kits. She just brought out only that one kit and displayed it to the world,” Okowa told our correspondent.

According to him, the distribution was uniform across all participating nations.

“They even received spike shoes. They received covers made from the same company. And this company gave us all these things free of charge. We did not pay one naira to them,” he explained.

The AFN chief admitted that the only item omitted was a travel bag, but said the athletes were already given bags by the world’s governing body.

“The only thing they did not give them was bags, but the World Athletics already shared bags for every athlete.

“Although the company would have also given them bags, they did not. And this company is also sponsoring about 20 countries,” he added.

Okowa also revealed that Hiracer had promised podium bonuses for medallists.

“This same company said they would give any gold medallist $30,000, silver medallist $20,000, and bronze medallist $10,000. So they should concentrate, work hard and try to win, and then they will win their money,” he stated.

He said the athletes were briefed about these incentives at a meeting on September 11, shortly after the Nigerian team arrived in Tokyo.

“We spoke at length. So I was surprised that this happened. I don’t know who pushed Tobi,” he remarked.

The AFN President further suggested that Amusan’s grievances were inconsistent with the preferential treatment she received compared with her teammates.

“All other athletes came on economy class, but Tobi alone flew business class. We got business class for her because that was what she demanded, that we must buy her business class. She demanded it,” Okowa said.

Pressed on whether she made additional demands, Okowa insisted that the flight upgrade was the only special request. “She did not demand any other thing apart from that,” he said.

Hiracer, in a statement released at the start of the event, confirmed it is kitting 20 countries at the World Championships, including Nigeria, Algeria, Zambia, Tunisia, Uzbekistan and Myanmar.

The company said the distribution system was identical across nations, further contradicting Amusan’s claim that Nigeria was singled out for substandard treatment.

The latest spat once again highlights the uneasy relationship between Nigerian athletes and the federation.

Amusan, who won gold at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon and holds the world record in the 100m hurdles, has frequently spoken out on issues of athlete welfare. With the championships in Tokyo now underway, observers fear that the row may serve as an unnecessary distraction for the team.

The 15-athlete Nigerian contingent is led by Amusan in the hurdles as the competition runs from September 13 to 21, with medals and reputations on the line.

“We need them to concentrate, shun all distractions, and focus on their competitions,” Okowa appealed. (The PUNCH)

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