)
After years of living in denial, Nigerian sprinter Sunday Akintan's switch of allegiance to Qatar finally confirmed.
After two years of hiding behind the mask of not switching nationality, Nigerian sprinter Sunday Akintan has finally confirmed Pulse Sports reports by showing up running for Qatar.
The rising sprinter on Friday, May 16, competed at the Doha Diamond League pre-programme 100m invitational, winning the race in a Personal Best (PB) time of 10.01s.
)
However, what was noticeable was his change of Nigerian name to a new Saeed Salam, but still having the green, white colours in front of it. This got fans curious if he was the same person who denied switching allegiance two years ago, and then it became confirmed.
In May 2023, Pulse Sports Nigeria reported Akintan's switch of allegiance to which he debunked. The Asaba 2022 National Sports Festival (NSF) 100m and 200m medallist, in a statement penned to Pulse Sports athletics reporter, said the news wasn't true and he only went to the UAE for a meet.
"I have been seeing rumours about me around, which isn't true. Please and please, this is false news, I never changed my nationality, and I only went to UAE for a meet. I don't know where this rumour came out from that I changed my nationality," Akintan wrote.
He also said that he missed the 2023 African U18 and U20 Championships in Zambia because he was sick.
"I didn't go for African junior cause I wasn't feeling too well. Coach Akeem still stands and will forever be my coach, I never changed my coach either please. I was really pissed when I saw the post, I had to come out to clear the air," said Akintan.
Pulse Sports reporter confirmed then he had competed at two meets in the UAE and missed the African junior championships to report he had switched nationality to Qatar.
Since then, Akintan has not raced in the Nigerian domestic circuit or any international race until today. With picture confirmation plus his change of name, it's affirmative that Pulse Sports reporter was right on the news.
Although Akintan's Nigerian name is still registered on the World Athletics website, it just shows his transfer isn't yet finalised, but he most definitely has had the switch of allegiance in the works for the past two years, and it's just a matter of time before it will be confirmed.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)