Nigeria’s sprint sensation Imaobong Nse Uko has broken her silence following a two-year suspension from athletics, blaming the Athletics Federation of Nigeria for what she described as an “unjust and heartbreaking decision.”
In a strongly worded statement titled “Exposing the Truth: My Fight Against an Unjust Suspension,” Uko accused the AFN of negligence, poor communication, and systemic failure in handling her case involving a whereabouts violation—a requirement under anti-doping regulations.
“For months, I struggled with an online system meant to report my whereabouts,” Uko said.
“Despite reaching out repeatedly for help, I was met with endless excuses about network issues and told to wait.
“My messages often went unanswered.”
The 2021 World U20 400m champion revealed that she contacted key AFN officials including Mbachi Louis, Mrs. Onos, and the federation’s Assistant Secretary, Taldang, but received little or no assistance.
She claimed Mrs. Onos ignored her messages until the day of the hearing, while Taldang failed to follow through on his promise to assist her.
Uko was suspended after allegedly failing to correctly update her location data, a claim she vehemently denies.
“During the hearing, I asked the federation why they didn’t assist me during my technical difficulties. Their response was vague,” she said.
The athlete accused the federation of exploiting its authority and abandoning athletes when it matters most.
“This situation has exposed the corruption and negligence within the federation that is supposed to champion our rights.
“I refuse to remain silent while they misuse their power and undermine our careers,” she stated.
Her statement has sparked renewed calls for reform within the AFN, with many athletes and observers demanding transparency and accountability in the management of athlete support systems.
The AFN is yet to release an official response to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
Uko’s passionate appeal concluded with a rallying cry for fellow athletes to unite.
“Let’s expose these injustices and fight for a fairer future in sports. Together, we can make a difference,” she urged.
