The president of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa has arrived in Glasgow, Scotland, with a mission to motivate the country’s track and field contingent towards a massive haul of medals at the ongoing Commonwealth Games, Sports247 reports.
Okowa landed in Glasgow ahead of the opening ceremony on Thursday and quickly mingled with the athletes at the Games Village to share words of encouragement and check on the latest camp conditions after the team’s relocation from Aberdeen Sports Village (ASV).
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This was disclosed by the AFN’s media committee chairman, Maxwell Kumoye, who added that Okowa’s presence in Glasgow adds another lap to his busy itinerary, as flew in after embarking on a working trip to Egypt and Tunisia in his role as a senior vice-president of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA).
Kumoye added that Okowa, who was honoured by Egypt’s athletics body for his developmental efforts in Africa, is now in Glasgow to motivate Nigeria’s 29-member contingent of 16 female and 13 male competitors, which has been described as a qualitative blend of experience with youth.
Among the notable names are women’s hurdles world record holder, Tobi Amusan and Nigeria’s men’s 100m all time fastest, Kanyinsola Ajayi, as well as Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Rosemary Chukwuma, Favour Ashe, Patience George, Ezekiel Nathaniel and Temitope Adeshina.
Others are Esther Joseph and Blessing Ogundiran, as well as the promising duo of female shot-putter, Jessica Oji from USA and multi-event atlhlete, Jami Schlueter from Germany, who both recently switched their allegiances and were cleared earlier this year to represent Nigeria.
The athletics events will start on Monday and last for six exciting days, ahead of which Kumoye disclosed in a press release, “President of the Athletics Federation (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa has joined the team in Scotland after his working trip to Egypt and Tunisia.
“Okowa, a Senior Vice President of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), was honoured by Egypt Athletics Federation for his developmental stride in Africa. Similarly, Tunisia Athletics did the same for Okowa, who is also the President of CAA Region 2.
“The AFN believes the blend of experience with youthful energy and improved support structure provides the foundation for another memorable outing at the Commonwealth Games. Nigeria will be aiming to reinforce its status as one of Africa’s athletics powerhouses when competition begins in Glasgow.”
