Sport

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Former 100-metre world record holder, Asafa Powell, has reportedly decided to end his six-year association with leading sports good manufacturers Nike and is on the verge of signing an agreement with Chinese company Li Ning.

The Gleaner understands that Powell, who saw his tag as world's fastest man stripped by compatriot Usain Bolt in 2008, was reportedly offered a significantly lower financial package by the United States-based company and instead decided to go with the less popular Chinese manufacturers.

According to information gleaned, Powell's US$750,000-a-year contract, which came to an end on December 31, 2009 was proposed to be replaced by a US$250,000-a-year deal by Nike, a cut that the MVP Track & Field Club athlete was not prepared to entertain.

It is unclear as to the exact value of the Li Ning offer. However, it is believed to be greater than Nike's latest proposal, but less than the original US$750,000 agreement.

Powell, who remains unbeaten so far this season, could possibly don the gear of his new sponsors today at the Rome Diamond League meeting in Italy.

MVP president, Bruce James, could not speak freely about the situation and expressed a preference to allow whomever the athlete has signed for to announce the details instead.

"I believe it would be inappropriate to make any announcement at this time. I would prefer whoever he has signed with to make the announcement, I believe that this is protocol," said James.

Powell's agent, Paul Doyle was however quoted on popular website, trackalerts.com, confirming that the athlete had signed with a new company.

"What I can say right now is we have signed a new contract and it's not with Nike," Doyle was quoted.