Sunday Dare, the minister for youths and sports development has joined millions of compatriots to congratulate 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).
The 2021 elected AFN president won after fending off the battle from three other candidates for the Africa Athletics Region 2 Election.
His three other competitors are from Senegal, Togo and Benin Republic.
The contestants are Vierin DeGon of Benin Republic, Tonobok Okowa (Nigeria), Tchanile Salifuo Falilatou (Togo), and Oually Sara (Senegal).
Not Just Okowa, another Nigerian named Omatseye Nesiama, who is a board member of the AFN is vying for the position of Auditor, just as Maria Wophill, also a board member of the AFN is in the race to become a Council member.
Sunday 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, who is also the chairman of Delta State Sports Commission claimed the victory in Ghana, contesting against Vierin DeGon of the Benin Republic, Togo’s Tchanile Salifuo Falilatou and Oually Sara of Senegal in the first round. He clinched his victory at the second round against DeGon with nine votes to six.
He will now become one of the vice presidents to Cameroon’s Hamad Malboum, who heads the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA).
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