'My kids not running for Jamaica' - Asafa Powell declares as he calls out poor support system in sprint factory nation

Asafa Powell and his kids

'My kids not running for Jamaica' - Asafa Powell declares as he calls out poor support system in sprint factory nation

Funmilayo Fameso 10:24 - 18.04.2025

Jamaican sprint legend Asafa Powell adamantly stated that his kids will not run for Jamaica and regrets his decision to stay in the country when he had offers to switch nationalities during his early career years.

Track legend Asafa Powell has emphatically stated that his children will not compete for Jamaica unless adequate support systems are established in the country known for its sprinting prowess.

Making a social media post following the viral video of his son effortlessly winning his race on his sports day in school and Jamaicans already declaring the future is in good hands.

The former world record holder stated his grievances with the Jamaican authorities and why he may have regretted competing for the country.

"Honestly guys, if the support system don’t change, my kids not running for Jamaica. Sorry to say that it's just facts, you know what I mean? My wife is Canadian and Ghanian so there are options,” said Powell.

Asafa Powell is highly rated as one of the greatest in Jamaican and world athletics history

The two-time Olympic gold medallist and five-time world championships medallist who is highly regarded as one of the greatest sprinters in Jamaican history, also revealed how he rejected millions to run for another country during his career years and now regrets the decision.

"I remember back in 2006, I was offered millions of USD to run for another country, and at the time I turned it down because I didn't know what the future holds. If I knew what I know now, I would have taken up that opportunity," said Powell.

Further stating the extent of his hurt for Jamaican authorities, the sub-10s king said he has never gotten anything from his country.

Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell after winning 4x100m gold medals at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games

"No athlete wants to retire and go work 9-5 or sit down struggling and wondering what's next. We all want to have a good life afterward, money should work for us when we retire.

"If anything don't change, none of them (his kids) is running for free. I ran for free my entire life, I ran for Jamaica, just country pride and all that stuff to win a medal and I've never gotten anything from the country. So if all that don't change, these kids is not running for Jamaica," he concluded.

Powell is the latest on the long list of star athletes to have complained about poor treatment by Jamaican athletics authorities.

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