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Tokyo, Japan – President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, has confirmed that sportswear sponsor HiRacer will honour its $20,000 cash pledge to Nigeria’s star hurdler, Tobi Amusan, following her silver medal win at the ongoing 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Okowa gave the assurance after a meeting in Tokyo on Monday night with Amusan and the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Chief Bukola Olopade.
He dismissed reports of a fallout between the federation and the world record holder, describing the situation as a brief “moment of misunderstanding” that has since been resolved.
“There is no problem between Tobi and the Federation. I’ve worked with her for over four years, and this was simply a minor issue,” Okowa said. “This new AFN board is responsive to athletes’ needs. We will do things differently, and athlete welfare remains a top priority.”
HiRacer, AFN’s official kits sponsor, has committed to releasing the $20,000 cash prize in recognition of Amusan’s podium finish. Okowa also revealed that negotiations are ongoing to secure an expanded sponsorship agreement with the company.
Commending Amusan — fondly nicknamed Tobi Express — for her performance in the women’s 100m hurdles final, the AFN president described the silver medal as “a moment of pride for Team Nigeria.”
In a related development, Okowa expressed appreciation to NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade and Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko for ensuring that allowances and bonuses for Nigerian athletes competing in Tokyo were paid promptly.