Athletics Federation of Nigeria president Tonobok Okowa said he merited another tenure at helms of the affairs of the nation’s track and field ruling body based on his performances so far.
Okowa who was speaking to journalists in Agbor, Delta State said there was a need to build on the foundation he has laid, because it will go a long way to reposition athletics in Nigeria.
“What we are doing in the Federation right now is critical to the success we all yearn for in athletics and Nigerian sports in general. We have laid a solid foundation through our ‘GET OUR ATHLETES IN SCHOOL’ program,” Okowa said.
“The ‘GET OUR ATHLETES IN SCHOOL’ program has helped a good number of athletes to secure scholarships and admission into American Colleges and Universities, and they have been combining their academics with sports seamlessly.”
Chief Okowa, who is also the President Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Zone II and a Vice President Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), explained that the Federation in its wisdom also appointed a very efficient and effective Performance Director, Victor Okorie, who resides close to the athletes.
Victor Okorie has been actively involved in monitoring the athletes and preparing the Nigerian team for upcoming events like the World Athletics Relays, the African Championships and other major competitions.
The Performance Director, Victor Okorie alongside the Technical Director of the Federation, Samuel Onikeku, have helped to drive AFN’s policies and programs. And for the next four years they are expected to build on the success story so far, as well as accelerate other new initiatives.
As Technical Director, Onikeku, is responsible for overseeing the technical aspects of AFN’s operations, including athletes’ development, coaching, and competitions.
“Our relationship with the athletes is great and cordial and we have also established excellent working relationships and partnerships with quite a number of State Governments to accelerate the growth of athletics’ across the country,” Okowa, a former Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission stated.
The AFN President further emphasized that during the last four years, Nigerian Athletics is steadily regaining its faded glory and the country is on the right path.
“At the World Youth Championship in Kenya, Team Nigeria came third, at the Senior Athletics Championship in Mauritius and Cameroon, Team Nigeria athletes left their mark on the track.
“In Lusaka the Zambian capital at the African Youth Championship we had an excellent outing. What about our stellar performance at the African Games in Ghana, as well as our superb showing at the World Relay Championship in Bahamas, and at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games we showed strength, character and class.
“Despite, the difficulties associated with funding major competitions, the AFN has been able to honour all it’s championship obligations including the Confederation of African Athletics Zone II Senior Championship in Accra, Ghana which we won in style. And even at the Paris Olympic Games where we failed to finish on the podium, a lot of first and feats were achieved by our athletes,” Okowa a very successful entrepreneur added.
“Like in every human endeavor, there is always the need for improvement, and we are ready to climb the ladder of growth and development to get athletics in Nigeria to where it truly belongs.”
Currently four other persons have indicated interest in running for the office of the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, this development, Chief Tonobok Okowa says is healthy and it tells you that we are putting athletics back on track, and people are taking notes.
“I love competition, and I also like the interest shown in running for the Presidency of AFN, but what have you done for the sport in the last ten years or more, is the big question the delegates will answer with their votes in Asaba, at the end of this month,” Okowa stated.
“Let’s wait for the guidelines for the election into the AFN to be out, and then they can see where they fit in, but as for me and my team we have done the needful, and I’m sure with God’s backing we shall win and continue with our programs and get athletics in Nigeria back to the top,” Chief Tonobok Okowa concluded.
