Seye Ogunlewe was not included in the list of 41 Athletes bound for the 2018 Commonwealth Games because he did not show up for the final race during trails the Athletics Federation of Nigeria have explained.
As per Queen John [ACL SPorts] Seye, a three-time national champion was dropped only after he opted out of the final following a pile up in events through the heats and semi-final races.
BREAKING!!!
Here’s the team list of athletes and coaches expected to do the country proud at the 21st Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
The team comprises of both home and foreign based athletes, chosen strictly on merit….#CWG2018 #AFNNGA pic.twitter.com/BVKqFrExyl
— Athletics Federation of Nigeria (@AFNNGA) February 22, 2018
According the AFN Technical Director [h/t ACLSports] Sunday Adeleye, “He (Seye) ran the heats perfectly well, came to meet me after the semi-final that everything is working well for him but he won’t be able to run the finals and I asked why.
“If you had not come for the finals it would have been a different case but you came. It will be unfair to see you at the Commonwealth Games and you didn’t compete in the finals of the trials.
“He said he just started his season and won’t be good to over stretch himself. I told him I can’t guarantee him a place on the list he needs to go and run. He went there and didn’t compete.”
He continued, “Professionally what he should have done was to go there and start the race then if he couldn’t run we know something went wrong for him but he didn’t and no wild card for anyone.
“We are trying to do the right thing in Nigeria and we will sure do the right thing.”
Other notable names left out from the list include; Commonwealth champion in women’s long jump, Ese Brume and 200m silver medallist at the 2015 All Africa Games, Divine Oduduru.
On the athletes that didn’t make it to the trials in Nigeria, Adeleye disclosed the criteria used to select them.
“The AFN informed the foreign athletes to keep up to speed with their performance wherever they are because we can’t bring everyone to Nigeria for the trials.
“Asking them to buy their tickets hoping we do a refund and by the time they get here we say there is no money. So we told those who don’t have competitions elsewhere to come to Nigeria for the trials.”
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