The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, Chief Tonobok Okowa is in the news again. Definitely not for the National Sports Festival, NSF where he did not only dominated with the number of medals won but also broke records.
Okowa, this time around is in the news because he has extended his unbeaten runs to the West African region and he did it with style.
Chief Tonobok Okowa was elected the President of Africa Athletics Region (Zone 2), West Africa in the polls that took place in
Accra, Ghana. He defeated his Benin Republic opponent, Vierin De Gon by 9 to 6 votes. Region II comprises of all countries in West Africa.
The victory earned the Delta State born Commissioner for Sports, the position of Vice President, Confederation of African Athletics (CAA).
Recalled that Okowa, who is the Chairman of Delta Sports Commission, was elected AFN President in 2021 and ever since then, it has been from one glory to another.
Meanwhile, stakeholders are very optimistic that he will do well at the regional level because of his exploits as the chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission. His organization of things at the just-concluded National Sports Festival hosted by Delta State which he was also the co-chairman of the Local Organising Committee, LOC, is worthy of emulation by other administrators.
And also the performances of Team Delta winning over 150 medals, and breaking records are things that will continue to be in the news especially when the National Sports Festival and Sports in general are being talked about.
Just like it is said in the local parlance, “Warri no dey carry last… That was what Okowa did in Accra. He went to Ghana, saw and conquered like the David in the Bible.
Before the election, he was so confident of winning and was almost sounding boastful because of his numerous achievements in the past. He said, “I am sure of winning the election because I have worked hard for it. The record of my achievements since I became the AFN President is also speaking for me.”
There is no doubt that the achievements of Chief Tonobok Okowa was what gave him the victory at the poll. Recalled the exploits of Nigerian athletes at the IAAF and the Olympics last year. Not also forgetting how he facilitated the hosting of the African Athletics Championship in Asaba, just to mention a few.
Just like the President of the Nigeria Olympics Committee, NOC, Engr. Habu Gumel said, “The CAA Region II being the biggest in the continent of Africa is one biggest and strongest family with a sole purpose to develop Athletics.
“Saturday’s election was only a family debate to choose who will run the affairs of the region for the next four years. I congratulate those elected, while those who weren’t elected should know, and understand that we must all join hands with these executives to lift the region.
However, enough of congratulations and wishes, this is time for work to start hence all hands must be on deck and all concerned must join hands with Chief Okowa to give him all the necessary support to succeed. If he does well, the gains go to Nigeria and vice versa and it will open more opportunities for other Nigerians to be in the Council in future but definitely, Okowa will not fail because Delta no dey carry last!
