NSC Boss Defends Team Nigeria Kits After Amusan’s Criticism

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has defended the quality of Team Nigeria’s kits for the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, following strong criticism from world champion hurdler, Tobi Amusan, who described the outfits as “inferior” and poorly presented. Amusan, Nigeria’s record-breaking 100m hurdles star, sparked controversy over the weekend after posting a viral video on social media where she unboxed the kits given to her and her teammates. In the clip, the athlete lamented the limited supply and unimpressive packaging of the gear, contrasting Nigeria’s provisions with the elaborate kits offered by other countries. Her remarks immediately stirred debate among fans, sports analysts, and fellow athletes, reigniting long-standing concerns about athlete welfare and sports administration in Nigeria. Reacting to the criticism, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko dismissed claims that the kits were of low quality. Speaking in a televised interview on Monday, Dikko stressed that the materials provided met international standards and insisted the controversy was more about appearance than performance. “Those kits are not inferior or whatever people are trying to say. If you look at other countries, they are using similar kits. It is just probably about the packaging because it was not put in a box or supplied in bulk. But in terms of quality, they are up to standard,” Dikko explained. He also appealed for calm, urging Nigerians to focus on supporting the athletes competing in Tokyo. “This is a world-class event. We should be rallying behind our athletes rather than allowing issues of packaging to dominate the headlines. Tobi is a star, and we respect her, but our priority must be on their performance on the track,” he added. The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) also responded, denying allegations that athletes were underserved. According to AFN officials, the kits were supplied in phases in line with agreements with vendors. They argued that what Amusan received represented only part of the full package, noting that footwear and other essential items had been arranged and distributed based on athletes’ details collected months in advance. Still, the backlash from Amusan’s public criticism has struck a nerve within Nigerian sports. Many fans and commentators see the incident as a symptom of recurring administrative lapses that have long plagued the country’s sports federations — from poor logistics to inadequate funding and lack of transparency in procurement. The timing has also amplified the controversy. With the World Championships underway in Tokyo from September 13 to 21, Amusan remains one of Nigeria’s brightest medal hopefuls. Analysts worry that the dispute could distract from preparations and dampen morale within the camp. Others, however, argue that the episode highlights deeper issues that must be addressed if Nigeria hopes to match its athletes’ talent with professional standards of management. Calls are now growing for reforms within the NSC and AFN to ensure accountability and professionalism in the handling of sponsorships, procurement, and logistics. While the federations insist the kits are standard, critics argue that the perception of neglect — whether real or exaggerated — undermines confidence and risks alienating the very athletes Nigeria relies on for international glory. For now, both the NSC and AFN have urged athletes to put the matter behind them and focus on competing, promising to revisit concerns after the championships. Whether this controversy fades quietly or forces long-overdue reforms in Nigerian sports administration remains to be seen, but the spotlight is once again on how the nation manages its athletes off the track.