By Ben Efe 2-6-2025
Former sprinter and renowned athletics coach Gabriel Okon has emerged as the South South zone representative on the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
Okon beat highly ambitious Itiako Ikpokpo with four votes in the high stake zonal election held in Benin City Monday. Delegates for the vote include representatives from Delta State, Rivers State, Bayelsa State, Edo State, Cross River State and Akwa Ibom State.
With the result the quest by Mr. Ikpokpo who was recently appointed Delta State Athletics Association chairman to contest for the AFN top chair, has run into a traffic jam and incumbent AFN president Tonobok Okowa is rubbing his palms in excitement. He and his men on ground did their home work and he is looking at another term as AFN boss.
Speaking after he was elected as zonal rep Okon who had previously been on the AFN board during the time of Ibrahim Gusau said: “I am committed to promoting unity and ensuring that the South South continues to produce top-tier athletes.
“This victory is not mine alone—it is a collective step forward for sports in our region”
Meanwhile in Southwest zone Lekan Soetan scored the highest vote to warm his was into the board of the AFN.
Results from North Central, Northwest, Northeast and Southeast are still being expected.