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Imaobong Uko has cried out over injustice following 2-year ban by AIU, blaming the AFN for negligence and a corrupt federation.
Following a two-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), promising Nigerian athlete Imaobong Uko has cried out over the injustice that befell her, citing the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) as negligent, corrupt and inefficient.
The talented 400m runner, a senior at Baylor University, received a two-year sanction from AIU for committing three whereabouts failures within 12 months - a violation of anti-doping regulations. She was provisionally suspended on July 7, 2024, and her ineligibility will extend till July 23, 2026.
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With her ban recently made public, the 20-year-old has now shared her side of events, posting a powerful statement via her Instagram page, in which she called out the AFN saying she was abandoned during a critical period in her career.
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Uko titled her emotional release - "Exposing the Truth: My Fight Against an Unjust Suspension," added screenshots of her Whatsapp messages with members of the AFN and further wrote:
"Today, I am sharing my story not just for myself, but for every athlete who has faced injustice in silence. I am Imaobong Uko, a passionate athlete from Nigeria, and I have been handed a two-year suspension based on a flawed system and a corrupt federation that has failed to support me when I needed it most.
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For months, I struggled with an online system meant to report my whereabouts a crucial requirement for athletes undergoing drug testing. Despite reaching out repeatedly for help, I was met with endless excuses about network issues and told to wait. My messages often went unanswered, leaving me feeling abandoned by the very organization that is supposed to protect and support athletes.
When I was ultimately suspended, I was devastated. During the hearing, I confronted the federation representatives, asking them why they didn’t assist me during my technical difficulties. Their response was vague, and they claimed I had incorrectly submitted my information, a claim I adamantly deny."
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Uko will then ask her fellow Nigerian athletes to demand accountability and transparency in sports governance in the country.
"This situation has exposed the corruption and negligence within the federation that is supposed to champion our rights as athletes. I refuse to remain silent while they misuse their power and undermine our careers.
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I am sharing my story to shine a light on the systemic issues that plague our sports organizations. It’s time for athletes to stand together and demand accountability and transparency. No one should have to suffer the consequences of a broken system.
Let’s unite to expose these injustices and fight for a fairer future in sports. Together, we can make a difference," she concluded.
The former world U20 champion is the latest in a long list of Nigerian athletes to have called out AFN's negligence and inefficiency.
With the country already in a controversial state following Favour Ofili's rumored transfer of allegiance to Turkey, more athletes may join the path if things do not change urgently.
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