Athletics Federation of Nigeria president Tonobok Okowa said he is looking forward to an eventful and fruitful 2025 for the sport.
Looking back at the outgoing year Okowa submitted that despite not winning a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, track and field did remarkably well topping the African Games in Accra, dominating the CAA region 2 Championships and having a historic three women in the final of the long jump at Paris 2024 Olympics and also qualifying four relay teams for the first to the Olympics.
He noted that the AFN achieved over 90 percent implementation of its programs and participation in both local and international competitions.
He said the AFN couldn’t have achieved these without the contributions sponsors, associates, partners, athletes and officials including the media whom described as the real Sports Personalities of the Year 2024.
“Without our numerous sponsors led by Premium Trust Bank, our associates, partners, athletes and the media, athletics would not have flourished in the out going year and we are deeply grateful to them,” said Okowa.
“Edo State, Delta State and some friends of athIetics made the athletics season ticker in 2024.”
“The list of individuals and corporate bodies that have been backing athIetics over the years is pretty long, we at AFN appreciate you all, we cannot thank you enough. Our friends in the media, you are our backbone, thank you so very much and like Oliver Twist we shall keep asking for more.” He added.
He thanked the Edo State government for hosting the All Nigeria Athletics Championship 2024 National Trials, tagged Championship of ‘Breaking Barriers’.
“We are looking forward to a bigger and better 2025 Athletics calendar of activities and I hope more sponsors, associates and partners will come onboard and back projects like the Secondary Schools Championships, Inter Collegiate Championship among Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and other higher institutions of learning which is the future of athletics in Nigeria.” added Okowa who is also the CAA region 2 president.
He appealed to the National Sports Commission (NSC), to support the Federation and other sporting Federations financially to make strong and workable policies.
He also called on other corporate bodies including well meaning individuals to show more love to athIetics and sport generally, stating that sport has the power to transform the economy positively.
The year 2025 will be marked by the election in to the Federation scheduled for the month of June in Asaba, Delta State, South South, Nigeria.
