By Ben Efe 30-5-2025
The board of the Delta State Athletics Association led by Solomon Ogba has been dissolved by the Delta State Sports Commission.
A new board has quickly been reconstituted with Mr. Itiako Ikpokpo as chairman, Smart Edoge vice chairman, Shaibu Aliyu Aliu Secretary, Chinedu Abujei athletes’ rep, Emily Osakwe coaches’ rep, Oba Joyce Oghenetega NAWIS, Godspower Odede technical official and Gowan Akpodonor as members.
A statement signed by Franka Okonma who is the Delta State Sports Commission director of public relations said the measure was taken to “inject fresh energy for the growth and future development” of the sport in Delta State.
The new board approved by the Delta State government will be inaugurated on June 2 in Asaba.
But the move is seen as a checkmate for Chief Ogba who is allegedly working against the interest of the Delta State government with regards to its preferred candidate for the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
It is also to ensure that the candidate is not screened out by a clause in electoral guidelines, which stipulates that every member aspiring to be the AFN must be a member of a state athletics association.