The president of the AthIetics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, says all their sponsors, associates, partners, athletes and officials including the media are their Sports Personality of the Year 2024.
Chief Okowa, gave this submission in a chat with newsmen while reviewing the activities of the Federation in the last 12 months and also outlining their plans for 2025.
“Without our numerous sponsors led by Premium Trust Bank, our associates, partners, athIetes and the media, athIetics would not have flourished in the outgoing year and we are deeply grateful to them,” the President of Confederation of African Athletics Zone II said.
Okowa says, “Edo State, Delta State and some friends of athletics made the athletics season thicker in 2024.”
“The list of individuals and corporate bodies that have been backing athletics over the years is pretty long, we at AFN appreciate you all, we cannot thank you enough. Our friends in the media, you are our backbone, thank you so very much and like Oliver Twist we shall keep asking for more.” He added.
Okowa, a former Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission also heaped praises on the Government of Edo State, that opened its doors to the athletics fraternity for the All Nigeria Athletics Championship 2024 National Trials, tagged Championship of ‘Breaking Barriers’.
Okowa, explained that over 90% of the 2024 events within and outside the shores of Nigeria were carried out to the letter. “All the competitions in the AFN calendar were executed.”
“I’m very elated, that a record number of athIetes and States participated in the 8th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State with a good number of States registering their name on the medal table at the end of the Games, that for me is a massive boast for athletics and it tells you that the future is very bright.“ Okowa explained.
“From the 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana, to the World Relay Championship in Bahamas, the African Senior Athletics Championship in Douala, Cameroon, and the excellent outing at the CAA Zone II competition in Accra, the Ghanaian capital, Team Nigeria Athletics engraved their name in gold.”
“We experienced unique memories that will live with us and Africa forever. And without these individuals, the government and corporate bodies’ support as well as the media, the story will not be sweet to tell.”
It’s interesting to mention that Team Nigeria Athletics topped the medal table at the African Games and CAA Zone II competition and they finished third at the Senior African Athletics Championship despite the huge financial challenges and late withdrawal by some elite athIetes.
During the 2024 season, World record holder in the women’s 100 metres hurdles, Tobi Amusan, was inducted into the University of Texas El Paso’s (UTEP) Hall of Fame.
