AFN cautions athletes over risky scholarship deals

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has issued a caution to Nigerian athletes and their families regarding scholarship agreements with agents or agencies, warning that some deals could be detrimental to their education, careers, and long-term interests. AFN President Tonobok Okowa emphasized that the federation is closely monitoring such agreements and will intervene where they are considered detrimental to the athlete or Nigeria's interests.

This caution follows allegations of risky clauses and extortion by an agency demanding 25% of athletes' earnings and granting exclusive rights to liaise with universities and sponsors. Okowa, who is also a Senior Vice President of the Confederation of African Athletics, stressed the importance of athletes' welfare and urged athletes and their families to seek proper advice before signing any agreements, particularly for minors, with parental or legal guardian consent.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.