Tag: Chief Tonobok Okowa

By Daniel Oyekan

President  of  Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), President Chief Tonobok Okowa,  has reiterated the empower  the country’s elite athletes to aspire for podium finish in next year’s Commonwealth Games.

Okowa said as much in his post-mortem  of the  recently concluded  World Athletics Championships in Tokyo Japan.

He insisted that the Federation and esteemed sponsors  with support from the National Sports Commission (NSC) will give  enough support towards  the  training, welfare, logistics and other related needs of the athletes.

“We commend our athletes for giving our country positive image in Tokyo,” Okowa said in  statement. “Nigeria was in Four finals in the following events, 100m men, 100mh women, 400mh men with a National Record and 200m men events, Shot put men event and crowned it all with a Silver medal and for us in AFN, it was a huge achievement.”

He stressed that  concerted efforts  are being put in  place implement some of the promises made to the athletes ahead of  next year’s  the Commonwealth Games , adding that the athletes just need  little push  to excel judging by their spirited performances in Tokyo.

Citing  the impressive showing of  the likes of Tobi Amusan, Kayinsola Ajayi ,  Onwuzurike Udodi, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Sunday Israel Okon, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and others in Tokyo, Okowa affirmed that the AFN is poised to offer Team Nigeria athletes  adequate support

Read Also: Aiyegbeni, Oshaniwa berate NFF for blaming  Ekong, Dessers for Super Eagles’ woes 

Okowa stated that the Federation will expedite actions in finding lasting solution to the lingering athletes Visa and  kits issues by engaging a top-of-the-range sportswear  manufacture , adding the  engagement  of Hi-Racer  at Tokyo Worlds was on ad-hoc basis.

He appealed to the media to always portray Nigeria’s athletes positively, saying  give them  such positivity will energize the cream of Nigerian  athletes  to perform better.

As the AFN calendar heads for a close, Okowa  extends   gratitude to his board members, sponsors, media  and stakeholders for an eventful 2025.

He appealed to the media to always portray Nigeria’s athletes positively, saying  give them  such positivity will energize the cream of Nigerian  athletes  to perform better.

As the AFN calendar heads for a close, Okowa  extends   gratitude to his board members, sponsors, media  and stakeholders for an eventful 2025.

President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa has confirmed that Nigerian athletes competing in the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo are in high spirits, aiming for podium success.

In a statement, Okowa disclosed that alleged issues surrounding the competition kits were exaggerated and mere distractions in the camp, insisting that all athletes are in a positive mood and ready to compete.

“The complete kits have been provided. I met with the athletes and technical team. The issues of their Olympics training grants were raised too and I am happy that a good number of them have received them.

Here in Tokyo, they are accommodated in one of the best hotels with excellent meals and adequate security. Everything is in place and our athletes have no reason to complain. I can tell you they are wearing their new kits,” Okowa said.

Read Also: Isreal Okon wins Heat 6 in Tokyo, targets final spot

The AFN President who announced that the Federation was in discussion with HiRacer for a new kits sponsorship deal attributed the controversy to a misunderstanding, resulting from the athletes’ personal kits preference.

Okowa, said the athletes were briefed about this new kits and accompanying benefits from the sponsors to those with podium finishing.

Under the temporary agreement, the Nigerian athlete with gold medal will receive a sum of $30,000, silver gets $20,000 while bronze medalist get $10,000.00 from the deal.

“For now, there is no formal agreement with HiRacer but we are talking with them. There are other countries under this kit sponsors too here in Tokyo. The kits they supplied us were part of our last minute discussions. Under the current plan, athletes will earn financial rewards for podium appearances while competing in the new brand.  do not want to go to the issues with Puma. That happened before we came on board.”

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has pledged its 35-man strong contingent to the forthcoming coming Paris 2024 Olympics Games would  not leave the French capital without stepping on the podium.

This assurance was made over the weekend by the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, shortly after the final list of Team Nigeria Athletics was made public.

Okowa said the Federation in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Sports have concluded arrangements for the team’s training camp in Germany before heading to Paris for the Games.

 “We are praying and hoping that all our plans and build up for the games go as scheduled and the athletes are fit. And if they are fit, you can be rest assured that Tobi Amusan is a very strong candidate for a gold medal in the women’s 100m hurdles, the same goes for Ese Brume in the long jump,” Okowa  said in an interview with AFN Media.

The 35-man strong contingent of Team Nigeria Athletics is made up of 18 females and 17 males who compete for honours in nine events in their category as well as the Mix Relays 4×100m and 4×400m.

 “The relays is another medal prospect zone for our team, the technical team will be do the needful in the area of baton exchange and we hope it goes well which is our prayer, you can be sure of a podium finish,“ Okowa who is also the President of Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Zone 2, added.

He further emphasized that at a major outing like the Olympics, sheer moments of individual brilliance are recorded and Team Nigeria Athletics do have a couple of athletes’ in its fold who can spring or create such moments.

 “Our mission to the Games in Paris is built on the success story of the African Games, the World Relay Championship, African Senior Athletics Championships and open up our team to the next World Athletics Championships in 2025 and the 2028 LA Games,” the Delta State born Sports Administrator stressed.

 “Team Nigeria Athletics squad to Paris is a pretty young team and we have another group of talented athletes who are currently in Colleges and Universities in America who will be ripe for the big stage in two years’ time. That’s what we in the AFN are excited about.”

Read Also: Paris 2024: Okowa predicts glorious outing for Team Nigeria

The President went on to explain that the Technical Committee carefully selected the very best based on their performance in the last six months.

Team Nigeria Athletics to Paris Olympics

 WOMEN

Favour Ofili : 100m/200m/4×100m

Rosemary Chukwuma: 100m/4×100m

Tima Godbless:100m/4×100m

Olayinka Olajide:4×100m

Justina Eyakpoboyan:4×100m

Ella Onojuvwevwo:400m

Elo Joseph:400m

Tobi Amusan:100m Hurdles 

Ese Brume: Long Jump 

Ruth Usoro :Long Jump 

Prestina Ochonogor: Long Jump 

Temitope Adeshina: High Jump 

Sade Olatoye: Hammer

Ashley Anumba: Discus

Chioma Onyekwere: Discus 

Obiageri Amaechi: Discus 

MEN:

Favour Ashe:100m/4×100m

Godson Brume:100m/4×100m

Kanyinsola Ajayi :100m/4×100m

Alaba Akintola:4×100m

Usheoritse Itsekiri:4×100m

Ezekiel Nathaniel:400m Hurdles

Dubem Nwachukwu:4×400m

Samuel Ogazi :400m/4×400m

Ifeanyi Ojeli:4×400m

Udodi Onwuzurike:200m/4×400m

Chidi Okezie:400m/4×400m

Chukwudebem Amene:4×400m

Edose Ibadan:800m

Chukwuebuka Enekwechi:Shot Put

Chinecherem Nnamdi:Javelin

MIXED RELAY:

Israel Okon

4×400m

Sikiru Adeyemi 

4×400m

Patience Okon

4×400m

Omolara Ogunmakinju 

4×400m

Elo Joseph 

4×400m

Ella Onojuvwevwo

4×400m