Oduduru: I was frustrated with the AFN

Divine Oduduru, Nigerian Olympic athlete, says he was frustrated with the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

Oduduru expressed his bitterness with the AFN while reacting to criticisms that trailed his absence in the men’s 100m at the ongoing 2019 World Athletics Championship.

The track and field sprinter had a late withdrawal from heat 5 of the men’s 100m on Saturday, for not showing up after being registered to run.

He was almost disqualified for all other events.

The joint second fastest man in the world in 2019 with a personal best of 9.86 seconds in the 100m, however, competed in the 200m after AFN appealed his disqualification for violation of IAAF’s Rule 142.4.

He failed to make the final of the 200m which Noah Lyles of the USA eventually won.

Oduduru, however, expressed his annoyance with the AFN during an interview with journalist.

“I was frustrated with my federation as IAAF has nothing to do with what happened to me because, if my country does what they are supposed to do, IAAF won’t have issues with us,” he said.

“I am not going to say I lose faith in IAAF because it’s a system that we need to go through.

“There are rules that guide everyone, so if we don’t want to follow the rules, things are not going to go right. We don’t expect to think we can change the rules, rules are made for everyone to follow, so that my country does not do what they are supposed to do does not mean that I would have to lose faith in the people that are following the rules and regulations.

“It was in the afternoon of the day we were to run the 200m that I found out I was going to run and I think they have been working towards ensuring that I was listed for the event, so when they said I can run finally I just have to get my body ready.”

He also spoke on how neglected the athletes feel about the method in which the AFN is handling the situation at the 17th edition of the World Athletics championships in Doha.

“Now nobody wants to know what happened, nobody wants to understand what happened, people just going around, saying all sort of things,” he added.

“Sometimes they should listen to we athletes because we are the ones that are doing these events.

“The way I was proud to put on my school clothes to run is the same way I’m proud to put on my country clothes to run. I don’t want to pay my flight ticket to meet and sit down and watch.

“This is the biggest meet in my career, so you’re not going to call it a joke.”

Oduduru is a two-time Nigerian national champion.