African Record holder Marie Josee Ta Lou has expressed her frustration over some inadequacies experienced by teams on arrival for the 21st African Athletics Championship in Asaba.
Many athletes were seen sleeping at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos waiting for connecting flights to Benin, others returned to their hotels after waiting for several hours. Those who eventually got a flight to Benin had to wait for 2 hours or more for a connecting bus from Benin to Asaba.
Some also had issues of accommodation on arrival to Asaba as they were told there was no room booked for the athletes.
Days of training gone for athletes who were yet to complete their training schedule while others were fatigued and hungry waiting at the airport.
Ta lou who also had a share of the delayed flight voiced her frustrations at the lack of organisation of the Africa Athetics Championships via her Instagram page Marie Ta Lou (@majo10s70)
“Three days of travel for some, two days of travel for another. Like you travel from Africa to Asia or America. If you are not ready to organize something please don’t,” the 100m and 200m world silver medallist said.
“It is my first and last time to come to Nigeria to compete. No respect for people. This is my fourth African Championship and it’s my first time to have that kind of bad organization.”
Below are some social media reactions on the poor organisation by the local organising committee of the 2018 African Athletics Championship.
Chaos in Nigeria
— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) July 31, 2018!
Over 300 athletes from 20 countries stuck at Lagos Airport & don’t know when they’ll head to Asaba for the African Senior Athletics Championships.
Nigeria has done a very POOR job with the organization of flights! Look at Team Uganda! #Asaba2018 pic.twitter.com/u6VccK7jLh
It’s left to be seen if Asaba 2018 will still live up to it’s billing by accomodating the number of athletes on ground and if the equipments will be adequate.
