By Olawale Lawanson Alabi

Abeokuta, July 19, 2025 (CrestNewsOnline) The South African team on Saturday in Abeokuta said they moved away from the accommodation facilities provided by hosts Nigeria so as to enhance the achievement of their aims of retaining their CAA Combined Under-18/Under-20 Championships titles.

John Mathani, Leader of Team South Africa, while explaining the reasons behind their leaving the Athletes Village for hotel accommodation, said they did not want to be anywhere near Team Nigeria athletes and officials.

“We have no problem with Nigeria or Nigerians, or even the Local Organising Committee (LOC), but our aim is to break records here and win all the medals we can win here,” he said.

crestnewsonline.ng reports that the LOC had arranged a media briefing to swiftly correct the impression created by the development.

The development arose as a result of news reports back in South Africa that their team was not well accommodated.

But Mathani said Team South Africa on its own decided to move into hotel accommodation on Thursday, three days after their Monday arrival, in order to stay focused on their objective.

“We are happy to be here, and we are grateful to be here because everything have been good and we have no complaints at all.

“Of course, we are here for sports and we believe in leaving politics for the politicians and allowing sports to be for the sports people.

“We believe in the spirit of sportsmanship and we have no problem with Nigeria.

“But we intentionally removed ourselves from the accommodation provided,” he said.

Mathani explained that Team South Africa did so not only in order to prevent Nigerian athletes and officials from coming close to their athletes and officials, but to also enhance their rest period.

“We have seen the Nigerian athletes and officials coming close to us, and we didn’t want that because we know we are here to win the championships for the third time.

“But, we also looked at the logistics of coming from the Athletes Village in Mowe, on the outskirts of Abeokuta, to the M.K.O Abiola Sports Arena venue.

“It was telling a lot on the time our athletes have to rest in between the events and at the end of the day.

“So, to us, tactically, if we are to retain our titles, we cannot afford to allow our Nigerian brothers and sisters come too close.

“We need to return home with all the medals,” he said.

Lamey Fati, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), on his part praised the efforts of the LOC, the National Sports Commission (NSC) and all other Nigerians.

“Everything has been going on fine here, in spite of the fact that Nigeria got the nod to host this event very late,” he said.

The CAA official noted that the continental athletics governing body was very happy having Nigeria as hosts immediately Algeria pulled out of hosting.

“When Algeria pulled out, we had only Nigeria coming to our rescue. Nigeria then had only two months to put things in place.

“Now, we can’t say everything has been perfect. But, with what we can all see everywhere around the world, Nigeria has done well so much.

“Nigeria also put in all efforts to make things happen very well, and we can only express our gratitude,” he said.

The event’s LOC Chairman, Bukola Olopade, who is also the NSC Director-General, said Nigeria had “beaten water out of the rocks” to put in place everything and make a success of the championships.

“We are proud to say that we have done all that is necessary to make everyone comfortable,” he said.

(www.crestnewsonline.ng)