Njideka Iyiazi, a shot-put gold medalist at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, has alleged plot to deny her participation in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics Games.
She said in an interview in Lagos yesterday that biased selection of athletes for competitions was becoming the order at Para-athletics Federation of Nigeria (PFN).
“I am in top mood, I‘m training, but I have double mind about this forthcoming games; my Federation (Para-athletics) is not doing things the way it should be.
“Like when we came back from Congo Brazzaville in September, I was ranked fifth in the world in two events – short put and discus.
“So, I was supposed to go to World championships in Dubai by October ending, but to my greatest surprise, they selected people that were ranked 15th and 16th even 20th to the competition, leaving me behind.
“So, I do not know the way they use to select athletes these days – in short I am confused, I don’t know whether I will be there or not.”
Iyiazi, who also won a bronze medal in the short put and discus event at the 2014 All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville, said she had protested about the development but to no avail.
“I am tired of complaining. I am currently in top mood but the issue is demoralising, when you train and people you know you are better than are being selected ahead of you.
“I questioned some people in the federation about the selection but they gave some reason that was not understandable to me. May God help us.”
Iyiazi, who also participated in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, said that in spite of the fact that she had been training hard for the event; she un sure about the future.
When contacted, Dr. Frank Thorpe, President of PFN, said he would not allow undue sentiment to becloud the selection of athletes for competitions. (NAN)
