Gombe State Athletics Association bans athletes from NEDC-sponsored event

The Chairman of the Gombe State Athletics Association, Hon Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, has revealed that his association and officials from the Nigeria Athletics Association Technical Officials (NAATO) will not be involved in the athletics competition which began yesterday at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe State.

This competition has been organized by the North East Development Commission (NEDC).

In a statement signed by him and made available to newsmen, the decision was taken following the poor preparedness of the organizers amongst others as reasons.

The statement reads “All Athletics’ Stakeholders are hereby notified that on no account should any Athlete, Nigeria Athletics Association of Technical Officials (NAATO) officials participate in the proposed Athletics’ competition organised by NEDC and scheduled to commence today, October 22, 2024 at the Pantami Stadium.

“It’s cogent to note that Athletics’ worldwide have rules of engagement which all stakeholders must obey, therefore, not meeting these rules by the organisers, the Gombe State Athletics Association has decided to exit from the competition in accordance to the rules of the Athletics’ Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and by extension the World Athletics’,” Gara Gombe said.

He said part of the reasons Gombe Athletics’ Association was boycotting the competition were as follows:

“The competition is below Athletics’ standards both in procurement of running facilities and medical and insurance requirements.

“Organisers of the competition are largely unknown to leaders of Gombe State Athletics Association as Facilities for the competition are either sub-standard or non-existent.

“All NAATO officials were not Formally/Officially invited for the competition,” Gara Gombe said.