Former Athletics Federation of Nigeria technical director, Omatseye Nesiama said he is stepping up to the challenge of repositioning the country’s track and field.
Navy Commodore Nesiama rtd, stated on Monday while declaring his interest in becoming the AFN’s top thinking head that the trial by error and the tragicomedy that has been order of the day at the Federation in recent years needs to make way for a purposeful leadership.
“It’s been from one gaffe to another in the past eight years in our track and administration.
” This is why I’m going for the AFN president position. I have the experience to lead the Federation to on the pedestal of good administration and performance; based on discipline, accountability and a long-standing pedigree in the sport,” said Nesiama.
According to him, he has a development plan focused on athletes and coaches who are the primary beneficiaries and bedrock of track and field.
“Becoming AFN president would be a good opportunity to implement what has been my strategic focus all along. I have develop a road map towards athletics podium performance in 2012 tagged: “AFN Project Rio 2016.
“It contained the developmental and the elite performance pathways. The project is designed to be: a. Athletes-centred.
b. Coaches-led and c. Management support initiatives.”
Nesiama with a sound background in athletics was technical director of the AFN between 2008 and 2016, during his time the country was boosted by a pool of talented junior athletes like Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume who are still holding sway in world athletics contests.
During his tenure Nigeria dominated African athletics wining the maiden CAA youth championships 2013, the CAA junior and senior championships that followed.
Nesiama went out his way spending personal funds to ensure Nigerian athletes achieved world standard times and qualified for the world championships and Olympics.
The amiable retired Navy Commodore a jumper during his youth days is one of Africa’s most reliable technical officials with distinction grades in World Athletics Bronze and Silver Levels Tech Officiating Courses in 2012 and 2017 respectively at the AADC Kenya.
He also obtained distinction grade in the exam to qualify for IAAF Licence for Athletes Representative (Mgr) 2014, becoming the first and only Nigerian to pass at first attempt till date.
