6th January, 2011
Nigerian triple jumper, Ontonye Tamuno Iworima has called on the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, to see the development of Nigerian athletes as its priority in the New Year.
Iworima, a silver medal winner in the 2006 Commonwealth Games and bronze medalist at that year’s African Championship, said despite the fact that Nigerian athletes have been doing their best to win laurels for the their country, they have not been receiving corresponding remunerations from the authorities.
“We have told the authorities on several occasions that welfare of the athletes is very important, but the administrators did not respond,†said Iworima on Metro FM sports programme.
“What makes things worse for the present generation of Nigerian athletes is that we are a little bit calm in our demand for what is due to us unlike the older generation who were more aggressive,†said Iworima, who was adjudged by the AFN as the 2007 Nigerian Female Athlete of the Year for her achievements.
Iworima, who will turn 35 on 13 April this year, looks forward to a rewarding 2011 with high expectations of putting up good performance in the All Africa Games scheduled for Maputo, Mozambique in September and the World Athletics Championship.
“I am looking forward to performing very well in the All Africa Games and the World Championship this year. Though 2010 was stressful , I believe the New Year will be a prosperous year by the grace of God,†she said.
— Taiwo Adelu
