Commonwealth Games: Controversy rages over Seye’s inclusion

 

Controversy is currently brewing over the manner with which a foreign-based Nigerian athlete, Seye Ogunlewe made his back and is currently being considered to be part of Athletics team to the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.

In fact, there are reports that former minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe used his position to influence the choice of his son, Seye, into the Nigerian contingent to the XXI Commonwealth Games at all cost in a scandal that has sent shivers down the spine of those who know the truth.

Seye is arguably one of the hottest legs presently in the short sprint in the nation but refused to take part at the final of National trials which was meant to finally determine the athlete who would eventually make the Athletics teams.

When the list came out and he was justifiably not selected, his story was being used by opponents of the federation as a case of injustice.
Only days ago, another athlete, Kemi Francis, a heptathlete, who did not complete her race in the trial, the big snag on the list was dropped and her place was given to Ogunlewe. Ordinarily, when the selection committee met, Francis was not on the list. When the list became public, her name surfaced.

Investigation revealed that the senior Ogunlewe was said to have called one of his staff while he was minister who heads the nation’s sports amalgam to ensure his son got on the list. That one recruited a former AFN President with who they worked the mill and Ogunlewe was smuggled on the list. This made the list a laughing stock because all you need to represent Nigeria is not your talent and character but a parent who has the right reach.

The next tourney post the list was the Golden League last weekend. Ogunlewe won the 100metres with a commanding shout. Journalists stormed to get his reaction and he gladly walked out saying, “I have a flight to catch to Lagos.”

Reacting to the development, technical Director of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Mr Sunday Adeleye who was initially irked by the unruly attitude of Seye explained that there are still many hurdles he would cross before getting final nod to represent Nigeria at Gold Coast.

 

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