The hope of Athletics Federation Of Nigeria, AFN, to host this year’s African Athletics Championship has finally been dashed as the country withdrew as the host of the championship
Algeria was earlier scheduled to host the championship but choose to withdraw due to Coronavirus restrictions placed on some countries that intend to participate in the championship.
Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos was choose to replace Algiers as host and the state alongside Sports Ministry immediately swung into action in terms of preparations while waiting on National Health authority approval.
According to the reports, the health authority in Nigeria have refused to approve the championship due to the covid 19 pandemic.
The championship which was last hosted in Asaba in 2018, is slated to take place between 23 -27 of June, 2021.
African Athletics United on its offiacial Facebook page wrote: “CAA – The African championships won’t take place in Nigeria.
“Nigeria has withdrawn from hosting the African championships from June 23 to 27. Lagos City was supposed to host the championships following Algeria’s withdrawal, but the Nigerian Health authorities haven’t approved the organization of an event of this size on grounds of the COVID pandemic