By Uboh-Ekong Treasure
World record holder and reigning 100m hurdles champion, Tobi Amusan, has criticized the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) over the quality and adequacy of kits provided to Team Nigeria ahead of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
In a video shared on her Snapchat account, Amusan expressed frustration at what she described as poor planning and neglect by the federation. She revealed that Nigerian athletes received their competition gear in a nylon bag ,A stark contrast to the professional suitcases supplied to athletes from other countries.
“This country will steadily embarrass you,” Amusan lamented, showing the items she received: a full-length jersey, a crop-top, shorts, and a tracksuit for the medal ceremony. She noted that no singlets or sufficient training apparel were included, despite the importance of proper kit for preparation and performance.
The 27year old athlete, who holds the world record in the women’s 100m hurdles, argued that such treatment discourages athletes and could push them to consider representing other nations where their welfare is taken more seriously.
Her comments sparked strong reactions from Nigerians online, with many describing the situation as “embarrassing” and “unacceptable” for a country with a proud sporting history. Others called on the AFN to address issues of logistics, funding transparency, and timely preparation to restore confidence among athletes.
With competition now underway in Tokyo, attention is turning to how the Nigerian team will perform despite the off-track controversy. Many fans are hopeful that Amusan and her teammates will rise above the setback and deliver strong performances on the global stage.
