The Nigerian athletics circle is buzzing with excitement following the emergence of Itiako Ikpokpo a.k.a Malik, as a potential candidate in race for who becomes Athletics Federation of Nigeria president.
He might not have made a big presence in Nigeria track and field but the Delta-born businessman and political packs a resume of having conceived and executed a number of grassroots sports athletics competitions, which threw up the likes of Favour Ofili; played a central role in the hosting of the African Championships 2018 in Asaba Delta and recently the highly celebrated Niger Delta Sports Festival held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Already concerned athletics stakeholders are warming up to the likelihood of him becoming the AFN president, with the hope that the never-ending crisis of confidence that has bedeviled the federation since 2017 would be finally banished and real development and cooperation of board members can reign supreme.
Malik hinted that his running for the AFN top seat was born out of his convictions that he can manage Nigerian track and field to produce the right result for a country blessed with so much athletics talents.
“It’s nothing else but my convictions that’s pushing on, I have no backers, but just the believe that we can do things differently in Nigerian athletics,” said Malik during a chat with mainlandmetronews.com.ng.
“We should be having our own purse and investments as a federation rather than wait on govt to provide funds before we move.
We should be discovering and grooming athletes who should be chasing records and world standard times and not just be contended winning the national sports festival gold.
“We should be recognising coaches who are ready to work and give them the training and wherewithal required to produce athletes from the grassroots to world level. If coaches in the US and elsewhere could be careening over our athletes, that means we have something worth investing time and resources to develop.
“We should be having competitions all year round, there are governors, corporate entities and individuals ready to bank role events, all what they need is trust and believe they are getting value for their sponsorship.
“In six years, we are expected to raise athletes who could be on podium and this is a task that must be faced squarely, and I believe I can steer the federation towards that direction.
Malik would be facing incumbent president of the AFN Tonobok Okowa during the election and his ambition is already causing a stir in Delta State and the South South zone both men are representing, but the former Isoko South Local Government Area and Delta State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, chairman said he would be studying the constitution of the AFN and find out where he can fit in.
“There is going to be an election, and it is no big deal if lose it, all that should matter most to all athletics stakeholders is that Nigerian track and field deserves a man of vision and integrity, who should work hard to revamp our track and field to achieve its true potentials.”
