Tag: CAA Championships

The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, believes  the next generation of Africa’s  athletics super stars will come out of the on-going  3^rd CAA African U18/20 Athletics Championship holding in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The Alake expressed such  optimism when the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC)Honourable  Bukola Olopade, the Osi Osoju Oba of Egbaland, led a delegation of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) on  a courtesy visit to the Abeokuta’s palace of  the Royal Highness on Tuesday.

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” First of all, I want to say  I am very happy that our son, Hon Bukola Olopade, is the Director General of sports in Nigeria and we are so proud with the work he is doing to develop Nigeria Sports,” the paramount ruler said.” We are also very happy to be staging this championship here in Abeokuta and I am very confident that many of the young talents that are participating in this championship will soon begin to shine all over the world.

” And it might also interest our visitors to know that Abeokuta is the first town to produce a Traditional Ruler to go to Europe in 1904 in the whole of West Africa. We signed a treaty of friendship with the British in 1893 so when the British had the whole of Nigeria as a colony we were not part of it,” he added .

The Alake also urge the CAA officials to take full advantage of their presence in the state by ensuring they experience the rich culture and hospitality of Egbaland.

” Before you all leave Abeokuta, I want to urge you to visit the first Presidential Library in West Africa – the Olusegun Obasanjo Library,” he continued.

“You should also visit our local market and buy our Adire which is our export to the world. In all you do, take something from Abeokuta, that will remind you of your coming.”

The President of CAA, Halmad Kalkaba Malboum, expressed his great appreciation to the Alake of Egbaland and used the medium  to once again thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the platform and support that enabled Nigeria and Ogun state to host the championship in the shortest possible time after the withdrawal of  initial designated host, Algeria.

The CAA President was accompanied on  the visit by his executive board and other top officials of the continental  athletics’  family.

The Director General of National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness  to work closely with the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA).

Olopade said as much in his opening remarks  of the Congress of the CAA at Conference Hotel in Abeokuta- the host city  for the 3^rd  CAA U-18/U-20 Championships.

Those in attendance at the Congress include, the President, Confederation of Africa Athletics, (CAA), Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, the President, Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Chief Tonobok Okowa, CAA Vice Presidents, Bruno Konga, Derartu Tulu, Jackson Kiprono Tuwei, Amara Khaled, Zakhele Dlamini, the president of the Asian Athletics Association (AAA), General Dahlan Jumaan Al-Hamad, heads of delegations of all the participating countries and others key athletics stakeholders in Africa.

 “Even before I was named as the DG of the National Sports Commission, I have been managing the biggest marathon event in Africa – the Lagos City Marathon, that underscores my interest and passion for athletics,” Olopade, a former Commissioner for Sports in Ogun State said.

To buttress the interest of Ogun State and the country’s love for athletics , Olopade stated that the Governor  Prince Dapo Abiodun, the former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as well as captain of industries, will be meeting with the leadership of the continental’s  athletics body.

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Olopade, who  doubles as the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), for  the CAA U-18/U-20 Championships, further stated that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government , is fully committed in giving the African youth a platform and the voice to excel in sport.

Meanwhile, in his welcome address, the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, said Ogun State  and Nigeria is fully prepared to deliver a memorable championships.

 “It’s indeed an honour to have athletes, officials and the Media present for this Championship. This gathering offers us the opportunity to examine the journey so far and peer into the future with great hope and optimism,” Okowa who doubles as the President of CAA Region 2, said.

He went added: “Youth in our Continent will in the next four days showcase their God-endowed talents and it is our hope that more talents would be discovered and developed towards competing  in  future competitions such as the  African Championships in Athletics, World  Athletics Championships,  Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games.

 “It is also my belief that this occasion will rise to the challenge of making good policies that would mitigate the challenges our youth encounter everyday such training facilities, medication, nutrition and adequate instructions on drugs related issues in the continent.”

 “Since it’s the collective goals of  various Member Federations to lift athletics in all its ramifications,  I belief also that this Congress will further engrave our big dream for athletics in Africa.

Okowa closed his welcome address with this, “As we say in this part of the world,  Ekabo, which means, Welcome.”