Sports Minister Accuses IAAF Of Blackmail | Gives No Commitment To Payind 130k USD

Solomon Dalung has expressed his displeasure over the allegations levelled against Nigeria by the International Association Athletics Foundation (IAAF) describing the accusation as a form of blackmail, after the body had given Nigeria an ultimatum to refund the money it was paid in error.

IAAF alleged that Nigeria was overpaid by $130000 in 2017 but the concerned officials have rubbished all efforts to get the money back.

The Federation now gives the country an ultimatum of few more days after which it faces serious sanctions.

Ibrahim Gusau, in a letter sent to the president of the AFN, and signed by the IAAF Senior Manager, Governance, Jee Isram, the letter read that the AFN was contacted immediately the anomaly was noticed on March 18, 2017, to refund the sum of $130,000 that was wrongly credited.

“Failure to receive the funds back within that period, we will have no alternative than to apply appropriate sanctions against your Federation,” it read.

Analysysts and Nigerians alike have expressed outrage at the delayed funding stating that the Sports Minister was only denting the nation’s image.

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Speaking at the 2019 Okpekpe Road Race held on Saturday in Edo State, Mr Dalung questioned the claims made by IAAF, claiming that Nigeria did nothing wrong.

“I think Nigeria has been unfairly treated because the issue has been painted and promoted as if there was any wrongdoing on the part of Nigeria,” the sports minister said.

“Certainly not, grants were released to Nigeria on the 17th of May 2017. IAAF on the 19th confirmed the transaction; those from IAAF after two months turned round and cried foul that it was a mistake.

“I smell rat in the whole thing and I believe that the whole thing has been orchestrated in an attempt to blackmail Nigeria,” the minister told journalists at Saturday’s race.

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