By Uzor Odigbo
President of the AthIetics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Chief Tonobok Okowa, expressed excitement on the honour bestowed on Nigeria’s World record holder (12:12) in the women’s 100m hurdle Tobi Amusan by University of Texas, El Paso in America.
The AFN said the honour will encourage other young and talented athIetes to go for glory and do more in their various disciplines.
Chief Okowa, said, Tobi Amusan is a role model that a lot of young athIetes, male and female look up to and honouring her is the icing on the cake.
“We are really, really elated that the University of Texas, El Paso in America is bestoring such honour on Tobi Amusan. She is a beacon and her light will continue to radiate beyond the shores of Africa and the track,” Okowa stated.
The Nigerian track and field sensation added another feather to her cap, as she was inducted into the University of Texas El Paso’s (UTEP) Hall of Fame.
The President of the Confederation of African Athletics Zone II further emphasized that, “This esteemed honour is a very strong signal and indications to Amusan’s outstanding achievements on and off the race tracks.”
She became the first Nigerian to win a World Athletics Championship gold medal in Oregon USA, a feat that has engraved her status as one of the greatest athletes in Nigerian and World history.
Besides, Amusan has set multiple records in the 100m hurdles, including the current world record, which is a testament to her exceptional commitment, speed, agility, determination and endurance.
A three-time Olympian, Amusan has won numerous African and Commonwealth Games titles, demonstrating her dominance in regional and international Championships.
Amusan, an alumna of UTEP, joined the institution’s 2024 Hall of Fame class, becoming the youngest-ever female athlete from UTEP to achieve this feat.
The AFN President, stressed that, there are many young and talented athIetes all over Nigeria who are ready, willing and determined to make Nigeria proud. All they need is support, encouragement and the right atmosphere to thrive.
“I’m very confident that with adequate funding and right policies the new look National Sports Commission (NSC), under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Honourable Bukola Olawale Olopade, AFN shall produce more ‘Tobi Amusan’ in the future,” Chief Okowa the former Boss of Delta State Sports Commission added.