AFN President Okowa Reiterates Commitment to Podium Finish at 2026 Commonwealth Games

 AFN President Okowa Reiterates Commitment to Podium Finish at 2026 Commonwealth Games



The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, has reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s elite athletes achieve podium finishes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.


Chief Okowa made this known shortly after a strategic stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja, where preparations for the Games and lessons from the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, were extensively reviewed.


According to him, the AFN, working in collaboration with its sponsors and with continued support from the National Sports Commission (NSC), will provide athletes with all the necessary backing in terms of training, welfare, logistics, and other essential needs.


“We commend our athletes for giving Nigeria a positive image in Tokyo,” Okowa said. “The country reached four finals, the men’s 100m, women’s 100m hurdles, men’s 400m hurdles (where a national record was set), men’s 200m, and the men’s shot put, and capped it all with a silver medal. For us in the AFN, it was a huge achievement.”


Okowa emphasized that the Federation is working tirelessly to fulfill promises made to the athletes ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Games. He expressed confidence that with the right support, Nigerian athletes would deliver outstanding performances, urging them to remain patient as key arrangements are finalized.


He highlighted the impressive form of athletes such as Favour Ofili, Tobi Amusan, Udodi Onwuzurike, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Sunday Israel Okon, and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi as a strong indication of Nigeria’s medal prospects at the Games.


Okowa further revealed that the AFN will swiftly address lingering issues relating to athletes’ visas and kits by engaging reputable stakeholders and sportswear manufacturers. He clarified that the existing partnership with Hi-Racer was a temporary arrangement for the Tokyo Championships.


The AFN President also appealed to the media to continue projecting Nigeria’s athletes positively, stressing that consistent encouragement from the public and press would motivate them to excel on the global stage.


He concluded by expressing gratitude to AFN board members, sponsors, the media, and other stakeholders for their unwavering support toward the growth and development of athletics in Nigeria.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FRANKIE FREDERICK: A JOURNEY FROM WINDHOEK TO OLYMPIC HISTORY

Image
 🏅 Frankie Fredericks: A Journey from Windhoek to Olympic History 🌍 Frankie Fredericks was born on October 2, 1967, in Windhoek, Namibia. Growing up under apartheid, he faced obstacles that might have stopped others, with limited resources and training facilities. But his determination, paired with his exceptional talent, paved a way to a future few could imagine. ✨🇳🇦 His potential shone through at the University of Namibia, where he trained diligently. Recognizing his skill, Frankie earned a life-changing scholarship to Brigham Young University (BYU) in the United States. This gave him access to elite coaching, advanced facilities, and the chance to compete on an international stage. 🌍🏃‍♂️ In 1991, Frankie first made waves globally by winning silver in the 200 meters at the World Championships in Tokyo—a remarkable achievement for African sprinting at the time. But his true moment came at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, where he took silver in both the 100m and 200m. These v...
Read more

‼️Eyoto Sports Academy Expands Horizons with 2025 Championship Plans

Image
Eyoto Sports Academy Expands Horizons with 2025 Championship Plans The Eyoto Sports Academy, a registered non-profit and non-governmental organization renowned for its dedication to nurturing young talent in Edo State, has announced groundbreaking plans for the 2025 edition of its championships.  The Academy, which has steadily grown into a beacon of hope for aspiring athletes, is set to introduce Rugby as a new feature in addition to its traditional athletics events. Moreover, the athletics competition will now cater to both U15 and open categories, marking a significant expansion in the scope of the championship. Speaking on the Academy’s journey and future, the Chairman, Chief Dr. Felix Idahosa, reflected on their remarkable achievements over the past five years:   "What Eyoto Sports Academy is doing in Edo State is extraordinary, especially when we look back at our first five years. We are grateful to God. Our greatest joy is seeing young people compete with all their...
Read more

"Let the Rules Prevail": Clement Chukwu Blasts AFN Over Victor Okorie’s Candidacy

Image
 "Let the Rules Prevail": Clement Chukwu Blasts AFN Over Victor Okorie’s Candidacy In a strong rebuke of what he calls a “clear violation” of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) election guidelines, Olympic gold medalist and respected athletics stakeholder, Clement Chukwu, has raised the alarm over the eligibility of Victor Okorie, the current AFN Performance Director, to contest as the South East Zonal Representative. Chukwu, who is not contesting in the upcoming elections scheduled for June 2nd and 3rd, submitted a detailed petition to the AFN Electoral Committee, citing Article 9 of the Federation's electoral guidelines, particularly section 9.1.1.3(a), which renders a candidate ineligible if declared bankrupt by a competent court.  “The guidelines are clear. Bankruptcy is a disqualifying factor. We can’t continue to ignore our own rules and expect credible leadership,” Chukwu stated. Official court documents that Chukwu presented show that Victor Okorie filed ...
Read more