The Gombe State Athletics Association (GAA) has advanced reasons they are boycotting an athletics event sponsored by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) which is starting today at Pantami Stadium in Gombe.
In a press statement signed by the Chairman of Gombe State Athletics Association, Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, the body warned any athlete under the GAA to steer clear of the event as it falls short of standardisation.
Hon. Gombe also noted that no member of Nigeria Athletics Association of Technical Officials (NAATO) should participate in the event, saying while it is being sponsored by the NEDC, the people organising it are faceless and unknown in terms of antecedents in sports management and organisation.
The press statement read; “All AthIetics stakeholders are hereby notified that on no account should any athIete, NAATO officials participate in the proposed athletics competition planned to commence today, October 22, 2024 at the Pantami Stadium.
“It’s cogent to note that athletics world-wide has 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 AthIetics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and by extension the World AthIetics.
“Part of the reasons Gombe AthIetics Association is boycotting the competition are as follows:
1. The competition is below athIetics standards both in procurement of running facilities and medical and insurance requirements.
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2. Organisers of the competition are largely unknown to leaders of Gombe State Athletics Association as facilities for the competition are either sub-standard or none existant.
3. All NAATO officials were not formally/officially invited for the competition.
Gombe AthIetics Association leadership cannot tolerate under its watch for athletes and athletics to be ridiculed or shamed by ignorant state machineries.
In the same breath, the GAA leadership has directed its officials not to participate in the event.
Failure to heed to the instructions will attract severe sanctions in accordance with the ethics of NAATO.
Also, any athlete registered would risk sanctions and more penalties.
The Gombe State Athletics Association hierachy therefore urge members to synegise with the State Athletics Association for growth and talent discovery