AFN cautions athletes over risky scholarship deals

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The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has cautioned Nigerian athletes and their families against signing scholarship agreements with agents or agencies without first understanding the terms, warning that some deals could be detrimental to their education, careers and long-term interests.

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AFN President Tonobok Okowa said the federation is closely monitoring agreements involving Nigerian athletes and will intervene where such deals are considered detrimental to the athlete or the interests of Nigeria.

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This comes on the heels of allegations of risky clauses and extortion by an agency reportedly tying down athletes to five-year deals and taking 25 per cent of their earnings.

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According to reports, a contract with the agency gives it exclusive authority to liaise with universities, compliance offices and sponsors on an athlete’s behalf, with 25 per cent of all proceeds related to secured financial obligations going to the agency.

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Okowa, who is also a Senior Vice President of the Confederation of African Athletics, said the welfare of athletes remains a key component of the federation’s responsibilities.

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He clarified that the AFN has not entered into any agreement with agents or agencies to provide scholarships to Nigerian athletes, urging athletes and their families to exercise caution before committing themselves to any arrangement.

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The federation also stressed that athletes who are minors should not enter into agreements without the knowledge and consent of their parents or legal guardians.

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“It is necessary to protect young athletes from arrangements that could negatively affect their education, careers or national representation,” Okowa said in a statement obtained by our correspondent.

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The AFN disclosed that it had advised an athlete to terminate an agreement involving an agent and a school after determining that the arrangement was not in the athlete’s best interest and could be inimical to the interests of Nigeria.

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“In a particular case, I directed the AFN Second Vice President, Akuchukwu Aghazu, who is a lawyer, to examine the circumstances surrounding an athlete’s agreement,” Okowa said.

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Okowa urged athletes and their families to seek proper advice before signing agreements and assured them that the AFN would continue to protect their interests while ensuring that opportunities presented to Nigerian athletes contribute positively to their development.

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