Nigeria’s Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has approved a refund for the IAAF overpayment wrongfully credited to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
The IAAF had in 2017 overpaid the AFN with $150,000 instead of $15,000 and the then Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, failed to complete the refund.
Sunday Dare noted that the funds will be available to the IAAF in a few days time and Nigeria’s reputation will be regained.
IAAF- I have approved the release of funds to refund the IAAF overpayment wrongly credited to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria. In a few days from now the funds should hit the account of the IAAF baring any interbank delays. With this Nigeria’s reputation is regained.
— Sunday Dare (@SundayDareSD) October 23, 2019
The Minister however noted that the refund was for the outstanding balance of $65,000 (sixty five thousand US dollars).
Re: IAAF refund approval is for the outstanding balance of $65,000-sixty five thousand US dollars. The first trench of the refund was made by the former Minister. I have only completed the refund because it is the right thing to do.
— Sunday Dare (@SundayDareSD) October 23, 2019
The first trench of the refund was made by the former Minister, Solomon Dalung few hours to his departure, returning 50% of the money to the IAAF.
It was also gathered that Dalung in a phone call with the IAAF’s president, Sebastian Coe had promised to return some money which he did before he left office.
