I have watched in dismay as certain mischievous individuals attempt carrying out a campaign of calumny against Godson OgheneBrume since Athletics Federation of Nigeria released its strong contingent of athletes to Paris for the Summer Games.
These vindictive folks are bent on twisting narratives in a desperate attempt to hoodwink unsuspecting followers of the game to prove a point when in actual sense, there is really no point to prove. Initially, they subtly did this, but as their shock bit deeper, and the Olympics drew closer, they have shamelessly carried out a full-fledged drive to pitch him against Nigerians.
Only one suspect blog has consistently wailed since the list was released and it would seem as though Godson took their name out of that list from the look of things.😑🙄😔
Their latest narrative is Godson gets into #TeamNigeria despite not showing up for the trails yet pulls out of events on the eve of major championships. The ridiculousness of confidently putting gibberish out there out of ‘cifia pain’ brings to question their real intention and how the young man in question has ‘offended’ the gods by making the Team Nigeria list .
They claim Godson failed to show up at 2023 and 2024 National Trials, telling half truths to whip up sentiments.
Now to bust their bubble and set the records straight: 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾
Last year, after the NCAA finals, Godson had departed school enroute Nigeria in time for the 2023 National Trials but got stuck at the JF Kennedy Airport for THREE days due to some challenges. All the time people questioned his absence, his Sister Ese was doing her best to ensure issues got resolved and his ticket changed at a cost, just so he could meet up (Athletes are responsible for their own flight tickets to these events).
Unfortunately, he couldn’t join the team until the Trials were done. Then again, there was one more crucial task after the trials- qualify the Men’s 4x100m relay for the World Athletics Championships. He immediately joined his teammates at the Yabatech meet but #TeamNigeria unfortunately didn’t ’t meet up with the qualifying time at the event.
The Team had to further go “relay ticket shopping” at a meet in Benin Republic which was not successful either. Then, they had a final chance at the ticket at a meet in Delta State where the quartet of Favour Ashe, Kanyinsola Ajayi, Alaba Akintola and Godson Brume in that order ran a 38.26s to clinch the WA ticket.
Unfortunately, Godson and Udodi who also started this ‘shopping’ with the team, having to transverse West Africa for the 4x100m relay ticket were overworked due to travels and back to back races…. fatigue eventually ‘won’ as the body could only be cheated as much.
They both did the honourable thing by announcing unavailability for the 2023 World Athletics on health grounds.
Fast forward to 2024 Trials, Godson showed up for Nationals and according to AFN, the team doctor examined himself and Ashe, gave both medical exemption which was ratified. If this was the case, I don’t understand why Godson is being targeted by these mischief makers who can’t seem to take his name out of their mouths.
If you have an axe to grind with AFN, face them squarely and stop this attempt at poisoning the jolly team spirit these youngsters are enjoying ahead of the games. An attempt to sow seeds of discord only shows you do not want the progress of the team like some of you have openly declared.
My Three Pertinent Questions are:
✳️“How do you expect the person you are fighting for to ever blend with these youngsters in future when duty calls and they all must be in the same camp”?
✳️“Do you honestly think the athletes you are indirectly setting against each other will enjoy the synergy needed to thrive in relay races after this Olympics’?
✳️“How do you expect Godson in particular to feel reading all these continuous malicious attempts to smear his name”?
Please for the sake of whatever appeals to you, LET GODSON BRUME BREATHE!!!
🎙 ✅️
Pictures Two and Three are from races the Men’s 4x100m executed to clinch the 2022 and 2023 World Athletics Championships. Godson Oghenebrume anchored both races.‼️
Peoplesmind