Sports minister sacks AFN technical director

Sunday Adeleye, technical director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has been removed by the ministry of youth and sports development with “immediate effect”.

Adeleye’s removal was contained in a letter from Sunday Dare, minister of youth and sports development, and addressed to Shehu Gusau, president of the AFN, on Thursday.

In the letter, Elijah Ademu, secretary general of the AFN, was recalled by the ministry, while a new technical director is expected to be announced in due course.

Adeleye’s removal also came on the back of the reports submitted by the advisory committee on the poor performance of Team Nigeria at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar.

“Adeleye’s removal followed the report of the Advisory Committee on the Poor Performance of Team Nigeria at the IAAF World Athletics Championships, Doha – Qatar 2019,” the letter read in part.

“Consequent on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, I am further directed to convey the directive of the Honourable Minister for the immediate removal from office of Mr. Sunday Adeleye as Technical Director of the AFN on account of ascertained Gross Misconduct.”

“Accordingly, you are directed to convey to Mr. Sunday Adeleye in writing this directive and evidence of compliance delivered to the Honourable Minister.”

Adeleye was indicted in varying degrees by the report of the review committee set up to investigate Nigeria’s poor performance in Doha.

TheCable had reported the recall of Adeleye from Doha for administrative lapses and violation of rules and regulations of the IAAF.

Divine Oduduru and Blessing Okagbare, two medal prospects for Nigeria at the 17th edition of the IAAF World Athletics Champions, were almost disqualified from all other events for not showing up for the 100 meters they had been registered for.

Both athletes had informed the technical director that they wanted to concentrate on the 200m and the 4x100m relay only.

But Adeleye still went ahead to register both athletes for the 100m race.