Newly elected President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Chief Tonobok Okowa has declared his priority would be the welfare of athletes and coaches.
Speaking with Timeline.ng just after emerging winner in the AFN election that took place at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Monday, Okowa noted that athletes and coaches would give their best when they are well taken care of and the right environment for them to work is created.
“First of all, my mandate is all about the athletes and coaches. We’ll make sure we give them an enabling environment to succeed, we will give priority to their welfare package.
“We have to draw up our programmes and ensure we do proper budget especially the one that will favour the athletes and coaches and ensure they excel”.
Okowa emerged the new AFN President at the Elective Congress of the Federation which had 35 state chairmen of AFN in attendance.
The election was held following the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development invocation of section 10.4 of the 2017 AFN Constitution which led to the dissolution of Board citing the expiration of its term.
The Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC), the Ministry’s representatives and Nigeria’s Ambassador designate to South Africa amongst others were observers at the election.
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Speaking after the victory the newly elected AFN President Chief Tonobok Okowa affirmed that his mandate as President would prioritise athletes and coaches’ welfare.
Okowa made this assertion during his acceptance speech after he was unanimously elected in Abuja on Monday.
The newly elected executive assured that they will work in unison with all zones to fulfill their mandate.
Okowa also promised that the new AFN board will continue to work with the Federal Government.
"AFN is not autonomous and we will continue to work with the Ministry of Sports and federal government.”
You may also want to racall that a parallel AFN election also took place in Kebbi with former president, Shehu Gusau emerging as the president. Though, there were no government officials nor was there any person from the International body present there at the election.