Nigerian Athletes Get Visas, Hit London Today

At last, the British High Commission has issued visas to some Nigerian athletes listed for the London 2017 World Athletics Championships, which begins today. This is coming just as the world athletics governing body, IAAF, has appointed immediate past president of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Solomon Ogba, as Chief Scrutineer for the 51st IAAF Congress holding today in London.

For the past few days, AFN officials had been lamenting the delay by the British High Commission to issue visas for the athletes and their coaches to enable them jet into the championship venue in London.

The Guardian learnt yesterday that some of the athletes, including sprint hurdler, Oluwatobiloba Amusan, long jumper Ese Brume and Patience Okon-George, as well as Secretary General of AFN, Amaechi Akawo, got their visas notification yesterday.

“I got a notification a few hours ago that we should come for four visas,” Amaechi said. “If things work out tomorrow (today), the athletes might just travel immediately because their flight ticket is ready.”

Meanwhile, a letter signed by IAAF Manager of Institutional Forums, in the Governance, Member & International Relations Department, Anne-Marie Garrigan, states: “It is a pleasure to inform you that during its meeting on 31st July 2017, the IAAF Council has nominated you as a Scruitneer during the upcoming 51st IAAF Congress on August 3, 2017.”

While Ogba and Rosamunde Carey are appointed Chief Scrutineers, the others, who are Scrutineeers, are Sarifa Fagilde from Mozambique, Kwan Kee from Hong Kong, Yoonis Yaqoob Issa Al Siyabi Timor Leste, Nijole Medvedeva from Lithuania, Jack Cohen from Israel,
Gordon Orlikow from Canada, Linda Hammersley from New Zealand, Brian Roe from Australia, Mirian Cristina Ermacora from Argentina, and Manuel Bravo from Ecuador.