By Maxwell Kumoye

Chief Tonobok Okowa has been re-elected as the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), during its Elective Congress held in Abuja on Thursday.

Okowa, the incumbent President was the sole candidate for the highly esteemed office of the Federation as the three other candidates eyeing the prestigious office did not reach the final hurdle.

Former Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence, Retired Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, pulled out of the race while another aspirant Constantine Itiako Ikpokpo fondly called Malik was beaten at the South-South Zonal election by a former sprinter, Gabriel Okon.

Sunday Adeleye, who was dreaming of occupying the number one position in Nigerian athletics was eliminated in the North-West Zonal election into the board by Ladan Abubakar Zurmi, who is now the first Vice President of AFN while Akuchukwu Aghazu Chineze, is the second Vice President.

After the election Okowa, said his victory at the polls is for all athletes’ and stakeholders saying: “Elections test our passion, but they must never fracture our athletics family.”

“I pledged to lead inclusively, ensuring every voice is heard as we forge a common ground for Nigerian athletics…my door and my heart is open for collaboration,” Okowa, a Vice President of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), stated.

He added that he would be pursuing a four-point agenda in his second tenure this includes aggressive grassroots talent hunt programme and education of our Nigerian athletes.

The slot for the athlete’s representative is yet to be decided.

AFN new board members are: Fatima Yusuf Olukoju, Olufemi Sule, Lekan Soetan, Victor Okorie, Gabriel Okon, Samuel Onikeku, Professor Frank Atare, Babayo Adamu, Solomon Aliu, Chief Tonobok Okowa – President, Ladan Abubakar Zurmi – 1st Vice President and Akuchukwu Aghazu Chineze – 2nd Vice President

National Sports Commission (NSC), Director General Bukola Olapade, urged the new board to do all they can to reposition Nigerian athletics.

“The ball is now in your court and you must not fail Nigerians in this task of repositioning our track and field.”

Meanwhile, four honorary administrative persons were added to the AFN team.

They are: Dele Edokapyi – Lega Adviser, Dr. Kolawole Oredipe – Auditor, Dr. Nneka Anibeze – Chief Operating Officer, Babajide Odeseji – Safeguarding Officer

The Performance Director, Victor Okorie and the Technical Director of the Federation, Samuel Onikeku, who helped to drive AFN’s policies and programs in the last four years won their election into the board again.

For the next four years both men alongside Gabriel Okon, Fatima Yusuf Olukoju, Olufemi Sule, Lekan Soetan and Solomon Aliu are expected to build on the success story so far, as well as accelerate other new initiatives of the Athletics body.

As Technical Director, Onikeku, is responsible for overseeing the technical aspects of AFN’s operations, including athletes development, coaching, and competitions.

It’s interesting and imperative to state that this new AFN board is dominated by former athletes a development which athletics stakeholders consider as a good omen but could turn out to be a two edged sword if they fail to work as a team.

Solomon Aliu, Olalekan Stephen Soetan, Gabriel Okon, Olufemi Sule, Fatima Yusuf Olukoju are part of the new AFN board.