By Uzor Odigbo
The President of the AthIetics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, says all their sponsors, associates, partners, athIetes and officials including the media are their Sports Personality of the Year 2024.
Chief Okowa, gave this submission in a chat with newsmen while reviewing the activities of the Federation in the last 12 months and also outlining their plans for 2025.
“Without our numerous sponsors led by Premium Trust Bank, our associates, partners, athIetes and the media, athIetics would not have flourished in the out going year and we are deeply grateful to them,” the President of Confederation of African Athletics Zone II said.
Okowa says, “Edo State, Delta State and some friends of athIetics made the athletics season thicker in 2024.”
“The list of individuals and corporate bodies that have been backing athIetics over the years is pretty long, we at AFN appreciate you all, we cannot thank you enough. Our friends in the media, you are our backbone, thank you so very much and like Oliver Twist we shall keep asking for more.” He added.
Okowa, a former Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission also heaped praises on the Government of Edo State, that opened its doors to the athletics fraternity for the All Nigeria Athletics Championship 2024 National Trials, tagged Championship of ‘Breaking Barriers’.
Okowa, explained that over 90% of the 2024 events within and outside the shores of Nigeria were carried out to the letter. “All the competitions in the AFN calendar were executed.”
“I’m very elated, that a record number of athIetes and States participated in the 8th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State with a good number of States registering their name on the medal table at the end of the Games, that for me is a massive boast for athletics and it tells you that the future is very bright.“ Okowa explained.
“From the 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana, to the World Relay Championship in Bahamas, the African Senior Athletics Championship in Douala, Cameroon, and the excellent outing at the CAA Zone II competition in Accra, the Ghanaian capital, Team Nigeria Athletics engraved their name in gold.”
“We experienced unique memories that will live with us and Africa forever. And without these individuals, the government and corporate bodies’ support as well as the media, the story will not be sweet to tell.”
It’s interesting to mention that Team Nigeria Athletics topped the medal table at the African Games and CAA Zone II competition and they finished third at the Senior African Athletics Championship despite the huge financial challenges and late withdrawal by some elite athIetes.
During the 2024 season World record holder in the women’s 100 metres Tobi Amusan was inducted into the University of Texas El Paso’s (UTEP) Hall of Fame.
Top Feats
Top the medal table at 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana, in March
Qualify four out of five relay teams at the World Relay Championship in Bahamas, in May
Won the CAA Region 2 championship in Accra, Ghana, in June
★ Tobi Amusan was inducted into the University of Texas El Paso’s (UTEP) Hall of Fame
“We are looking forward to a bigger and better 2025 Athletics Circuit and I hope more sponsors, associates and partners will come onboard and back projects like the Secondary Schools Championships, Inter Collegiate Championship among Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and other higher institutions of learning which is the future of athIetics in Nigeria.” Okowa stressed.
The AFN Chief, went on to appeal to the National Sports Commission (NSC), to support the Federation and other sporting Federations financially and make strong and workable policies. He also called on other corporate bodies including well meaning individuals with deep pockets to show more love to athIetics and sport generally, stating that sport has the power to transform the economy positively.
Team Nigeria AthIetics may not have won any medal at the Olympic Games in Paris, France but for the first time in history three Nigerian female long jumper reached the final, a member of the team also reached the final of the women’s 200 metres and some positive results were recorded by some male athletes at the Games.
The 2025 calendar is loaded to the hilt both on the domestic and international scene and the AFN strongly believe that it will make more gains on all fronts with the support of all.
The year 2025 will be marked by the election in to the Federation scheduled for the month of June in Asaba, Delta State, South South, Nigeria.
For your information, Chief Tonobok Okowa was elected president of Confederation of African Athletics CAA Zone II in Accra, Ghana last year.
