Exclusive: AFN Technical Committee Member Calls For Transparent Review After Commonwealth Games Women’s Long Jump Entry Omission
By Saheed Afolabi
Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Technical Committee member Lekan Soetan has called for a full and transparent investigation into the administrative breakdown that left Nigeria with only one Women’s Long Jump entry for the Commonwealth Games, effectively shutting out leading athlete Prestina Ochonogor.
Speaking to ECHONEWS exclusively, Soetan said the primary responsibility for the error rested with those who compiled, approved and submitted the country’s final entries before the Direct Registration of Members (DRM) deadline.
“Once the deadline passed with only one Women’s Long Jump entry submitted, there was no opportunity to correct the omission,” he said.
“This should not be viewed as the failure of a single individual alone. The federation should conduct a transparent review to determine exactly where the breakdown occurred whether during athlete nomination, administrative processing, approval or final submission. Accountability must be based on facts, not speculation.”
The official revealed that, as a member of the Technical Committee, he neither received nor reviewed the final Commonwealth Games long list before the entries were submitted. He only became aware of the published team through media reports.
“I cannot speak to the intentions behind the process or conclude that the Technical Committee was deliberately boycotted. What I can state as a matter of fact is that I did not receive or review the final Commonwealth Games long list before the entries were submitted.
“If that reflects the process that was followed, then it raises important governance and communication concerns. The Technical Committee exists to provide technical oversight, and involving it in reviewing final entries helps reduce the risk of costly administrative errors.”
He described the exclusion of Ochonogor as deeply disappointing. The athlete, one of Nigeria’s leading long jumpers, had travelled from her base in the United States to compete at the National Trials.
“Any situation where an athlete makes that commitment yet is unavailable for selection because of an apparent administrative omission is unfortunate.
“Beyond the individual athlete, Nigeria lost the opportunity to field one of its strongest medal contenders in an event where the country has an established tradition of excellence and entered the Games as the defending champion.”
Soetan outlined several reforms he believes the AFN must implement to prevent a repeat. These include establishing a clear and transparent selection protocol with defined responsibilities and timelines circulating all provisional and final entry lists to the Technical Committee and relevant stakeholders for verification, introducing multiple verification stages with documented sign-offs and adopting modern athlete management databases and digital audit trails.
“Finally, governance must improve. Transparency, accountability and proper communication are essential if Nigeria is to maximise its medal opportunities at major championships.”
Soetan noted that his concern extended beyond a single athlete but the collective benefit of all athletes.
“Our athletes invest enormous time, effort and sacrifice to qualify for major championships. They deserve an administrative system that is transparent, efficient and capable of ensuring that every eligible athlete receives the opportunity they have earned.”
