By Uzor Odigbo
Retired Navy commodore Omatseye Nesiama has been elected on the board of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) today by athletics coaches and technical officials.
Nesiama polled 43 votes to defeat his opponent Solomon Aliu of Police who garnered 33 votes.
The retired Navy commodore said in a post-election interview that: “Time for politics is gone, I’m focusing on technical business.”
He thanked the coaches and other technical officials for voting him and pledged to carry everybody along in this assignment.
“I think time for politics is gone, we have to focus to bring some desired technical changes in the AFN board.
“If the board wishes and I’m made the technical director, I will bring some changes (road map) I had since 2011,” he said.
Nesiama enjoined everyone to join hands to improve the technical department of the federation.
The Election suffered some set back in Kwara state where it was first held but was quashed following unruly behaviour by some members.
The election which took place during the AFN Olympic Trials at Yaba tech was conducted in a calm atmosphere with adequate security presence.
Nesiama who commands enviable qualification and post from the World Athletics (WA) and Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA) is expected to take over from former occupant Brown Ebewele who served for four years.