Tag: Gabriel Okon

The technical director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Gabriel Okon, has enthused that athletics can  strongly and favourably impact on the Nigerian sports economy.

Okon, who just returned from the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, noted that Nigeria is endowed with numerous talented athletes that are making positive strides in promoting the country’s image internationally.

The former Nigeria International athlete, has therefore, called on the National Sports Commission (NSC) to take concrete steps in providing sufficient financial support for the development of these athletes.

“As of today, Tobi Amusan, Nigeria’s 100mH World Champion, holds a record time of (12:12s.) and by propagating Amusan’s achievement, Nigeria can encourage others to take up sports  but this endeavour requires substantial funding,” said  the former sprinter.“

“Examples from South Africa, Jamaica, and other nations demonstrate how world-class athletes can drive sports development through targeted investments.”

The AFN TD  faulted the common  chorus of “lack of fund” often expressed by government officials, describing it as retrogressive for the  growth and development of athletics in Nigeria.

“We don’t just attend Championships, we also learnt from how others are achieving their podium finish,” Okon said.

He emphasized that countries achieving podium finishes in World Athletics Championships and Olympic Games invested heavily in their athletes over multiple seasons.

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He argued that sports funding should come from consolidated investment funds rather than yearly budgetary allocations or personal funds.

According to him, athletes require training grants, competitions, trainers, medical care, equipment, and welfare, none of which should be compromised due to lack of funds.

Okon noted that countries like Turkey, Qatar, Spain, and Saudi Arabia lure athletes from other nations with substantial funding, leading some to change their names and forgo recognition under their birth names.

The Coach also stressed that Nigerian athletics require substantial funding, as the current ad-hoc approach has hindered many of the country’s top athletes to achieve podium finishes.

Gabriel Okon (Akwa Ibom) and Lekan Soetan (Ogun State)have been announced winners of the South-South and South West Zonal Elections of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) .

In the  elections held yesterday, Okon secured four votes against two for Itiako Ikpokpo  in the South-South poll held in Benin City, to be declared as the representative of the zone in the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

The election was conducted by delegates representing the six south-south states  including Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, under the supervision of Sir Braveman Wodi, the designated electoral official.

Present at the election in the South –South  elections were key stakeholders including  the Zonal Secretary National Sports Commission South -south, Peter Njoku.

Njoku expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election, describing it as free and fair. He commended the electoral officials for putting all necessary measures in place to ensure a smooth and transparent process.

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He also charged the contestants to work together in unity, irrespective of the outcome, for the progress of athletics in the South -south.

The electoral official, Sir Braveman Wordi, also appreciated the contestants for their level of understanding and maturity throughout the process.

He thanked them for their continued support for athletics development in the region and encouraged them to remain committed to the growth of the Athletics.

In his post-election remarks, Okon , a former  Nigerian athlete, expressed gratitude to God for winning the election and he pledged to work with the other contestants and all stakeholders to advance athletics development across the region and Nigeria as a whole.

“I am committed to promoting unity and ensuring that the South South continues to produce top-tier athletes. This victory is not mine alone—it is a collective step forward for sports in our region,” Okon stated.

Elsewhere, Soetan also defeated Babajide John Odedeji and Abijo Gbenga in fiercely contested election to get the nod of the South West for the next four years as a board member of the AFN.