The Kwara Sports Commission says it has not been officially informed on the indefinite suspension on Kwara Athletics Association by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for associating with a banned coach.
The Executive Chairman of the Kwara Sports Commission, Mr Bola Mogaji, said this on Monday while briefing newsmen on the commission’s position on the situation that led to the supposed suspension.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the AFN over the weekend suspended Kwara Athletics Association from all athletics activities in Nigeria due to its association with Hammid Muritala, a track and field coach banned by Nigeria Anti-Doping Committee.
Muritala was banned for anti-doping rules violation for a period of 10 years for allegedly doping a junior athlete at the National Youth Games held in Ilorin in 2021.
The AFN said despite his ban, the coach is said to be parading himself around and coaching athletes at athletics competitions with the knowledge of Kwara Athletics Association.
According to the AFN, the action also amounts to violation of Rule 2.9 of World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules.
The AFN says the suspension shall remain, pending the outcome of further investigation.
However, Mogaji said Muritala had been on suspension by the association since Oct. 14, 2022, before the AFN’s ban came in February 2023.
He stated that the commission was not aware that the suspended coach followed the state contingent to Benin, Edo.
”Names of the 10 athletes and a coach was submitted to represent Kwara, and coach Muritala was not included.
”The notice of the coach travelling with the athletes came when the Commission’s Secretary, Mr Tsado Haruna, tried to find out about their movement on June 12, 2023.
”Subsequent to the above, I gave the directive to Mr Haruna to issue queries to the Head of Coaching, Patience Lawal; Association Secretary, Kafilat Aliyu; existing coach, Oluwaseyi Awe, and the suspended coach, Muritala.
”Their replies to the queries will determine the next line of action,” the chairman assured.
He however noted that when the commission got informed eventually, it would apologise and show evidence of correspondences to exonerate itself.
Also reacting to the development, coach of the team (Awe) said he only allowed the banned coach to join them in the bus after he pleaded that he needed to be in Benin for further hearing on his case.
Awe said he only showed compassion to Muritala and that he had nothing to do with the team or athletes immediately after touching down in Benin and throughout their stay.
NAN
