Minister of Youth and Sport Development Sunday Dare has congratulated the president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa on his election as the president of African Athletics Region 2, West Africa on Saturday.
Consequently, the election victory also means Okowa has become one of the vice presidents of the Confederation African Athletics (CAA).
Dare expressed his delight at the victory of the Delta state-born sports administrator, stating that it comes as good news to Nigeria.
“I’m glad at this victory and I’m also not surprised that Okowa has ascended to the level of international leadership in athletics. He has paid his dues from the grassroots, in Delta State and now he is performing creditably at the national level.
“He has performed well since he emerged president of the AFN. Nigeria had a good outing at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, our athletes were incredibly fantastic at the Commonwealth Games and even at the African Youth Athletics Championship. Without doubt, his role in these successes were major.”
Okowa defeated Vierin DeGon of the Benin Republic at the second round of voting with nine votes to six to succeed another Nigerian, Shehu Ibrahim Gusau as President of the regional athletics body.
Elsewhere, Organizer of the Okpekpe international 10km road race, the first World Athletics label road race in West Africa, has also congratulated Okowa
In a congratulatory message, Mike Itemuagbor, organizer of the Okpekpe road race said Okowa has been a huge success since he assumed the mantle of leadership at the AFN in June 2021 and members of the African Athletics Region 2 are not unaware of this.
“I would like to congratulate my brother, Tonobok Okowa on being elected as the President of African Athletics Region 2,” said Itemuagbor.“ His wealth of knowledge in the field of sports governance and administration, acquired through time as a politician and a businessman means athletics in the sub-region is in capable hands in years to come.”
The Okpekpe Road Race chief further said that Okowa has been a breath of fresh air since he assumed leadership of the AFN , adding he will be a huge success as president of an African Athletics regional body.
He continued :“During his less than two years at the helm of affairs as AFN President, Okowa has returned Nigeria to the podium at all major global and regional athletics competitions and has helped in the development of the sport at the grassroot level.
“In his first outing at the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, he ensured Nigeria returned to the podium in track and field after a 13 year wait. He also led Nigeria to an unprecedented haul of medals at the World U20 Athletics Championships in Kenya later that year.
“’Last year Nigeria returned to the podium at the World Indoor Championships after a 14 year wait and at the World Outdoor Championships in Oregon, USA recorded her best outing in the history of the event.
“Nigeria did not just come back with a first ever world title won by 100m hurdles runner, Tobi Amusan but also a first ever world outdoor record in the event.”
Itemuagbor said he was looking forward to many years of fruitful collaborations with the AFN especially in the development of road running events which Okpekpe race has been at the forefront of and which has been acknowledged by World Athletics as the first world class road race to be organized in Nigeria.