Sports
AFN Set Up 5-Man Committee For Africa Games, Olympics, Others
Joel Ajayi
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has set up a 5-man committee to raise a formidable athletics team for the Africa Games, the World in-door Championship, and the Olympics Games hold in Paris.
The decision was taken at the Board meeting on January 6, 2024. The 5-man committee is headed by Commodore Omatseye Nesiama (rtd).
Other members are the Technical Director of the federation, Samuel Onikeku, Amb. Manta Haruna Mohammed, Mrs. Maria Wophill, and Dr. Solomon Alao, while an official of the AFN secretariat will serve as committee secretary.
Terms of reference of the committee is to put in place a formidable athletics squad (from home and abroad) to fly the nation’s flag at the Africa Games, the World In-door Championship, and the Olympics Games in Paris.
The AFN board also dissolved all its committees after serving two years as agreed upon at the beginning of its tenure.
The Board has approved its Safeguarding Policy Committee.
The Board also set up a 3-man Committee to fashion out appropriate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the committees, which would soon be set up by the federation.
This Committee is headed by Dr. Solomon Alao, with Mrs. Maria Wophill and Prof Emmanuel Ojeme as members. The 3-member committee is to draw up SOPs/Terms of Reference for the new Committees that will be set up as their Operational Guidelines.
The AFN Board also deliberated on the Audit Committee Report and applauded the members for their efforts. However, the Board did not uphold the particular recommendation, which tagged the various funds loaned to the federation by the President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, as ‘donations’ and thus required him to make a refund of part of his reimbursement collected.
On its part, the Board unanimously agreed that Chief Okowa should be refunded his money as soon as funds is available. This applies to all other members who have loaned out monies to the Federation as well.
Regarding the Audit Committee recommendation that the Secretary General of the AFN, Rita Mosindi, be removed, the Board, while deliberating, observed that it does not have the power to remove the SG as it did not appoint her.
The Board also observed that apart from apologizing both verbally and in writing to the Board, Mosindi has been under close watch and seen to be truly remorseful and demonstrated that she has changed, and is ready to work with the Board to attain its ultimate goals. As such, the Board agreed to give her a severe reprimand and advised her to ‘sin no more’. Failing the Board would be left with no option but to approach the Ministry of Sports to do the needful.
Board Members who attended the meeting held on Zoom were:1. CHIEF TONOBOK OKOWA2. COMMODORE OMATSEYE NESIAMA (RTD)3. AMB. MANTA HARUNA MOHAMMED4. PROF. EMMANUEL OJEME5. MR. SAMUEL ONIKEKU6. DR. SOLOMON ALAO7. MRS. MARIA WOPHILL8. HON. YUSUF LIMAN DAHIRU (SENT AN APOLOGY FROM SAUDI ARABIA)9. RITA MOSINDI – SECRETARY GENERAL
Sports
Culture Comes Alive in Abuja as 13th ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament Kicks Off in Grand Style
By Joel Ajayi
It was a spectacular showcase of culture and tradition at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja as the 13th edition of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) African Wrestling Tournament commenced in grand style.
A total of 55 athletes from 11 countries are competing for top honors, with each nation represented by five wrestlers and four technical officials.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Thursday, the Director of Youth and Sports Development for ECOWAS, Ambassador Francis Njoaguani, expressed his appreciation and highlighted the importance of the tournament in fostering cooperation and unity among the 12 ECOWAS member states.
Although Cape Verde is absent from this year’s event, Njoaguani stressed the significance of sports as a powerful tool for regional integration.
“This programme brings together wrestlers from all our member states,” Njoaguani said. “It strengthens collaboration among nations and showcases the unifying power of sports. We believe this will enhance the integration efforts that ECOWAS advocates.”
With young people making up 54% of the ECOWAS population, Njoaguani noted the vital role sports play in economic development and youth engagement.
“Sports not only connect participants but also drive economic growth,” he stated. “We aim to leverage sports to spread the message of ECOWAS regarding integration and youth development, which are essential to our goals of development and human capital enhancement.”
The tournament opened with team events, while individual bouts across weight categories of 65kg, 75kg, 85kg, 100kg, and 120kg are scheduled to follow in an elimination format, leading to the semi-finals and finals.
Njoaguani also extended an invitation to the public to attend the tournament’s grand finale on Saturday, where medals and prizes will be awarded to the champions.
As excitement builds, the tournament aims not only to showcase athletic talent but also to foster regional camaraderie and development through the spirit of competition.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to using sports as a platform for youth empowerment, regional integration, and economic growth.
This year’s tournament also coincides with the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS, adding greater significance to the event.
Dikko praised the rich cultural heritage embedded in traditional wrestling, describing it as more than just a sport: “It embodies the spirit of resilience, strength, and discipline—qualities that define our great continent,” he said, as dignitaries, athletes, and fans gathered to celebrate this prestigious event.
Dikko further commended the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who currently chairs the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, noting his dedication to using sports as a vehicle for peace and regional cohesion.
“This tournament is a testament to our collective commitment to promoting cultural ties and strengthening the bonds that unite us,” he emphasized.
Hosting the tournament firmly positions Nigeria as a central figure in promoting and developing traditional sports across the region.
Dikko reiterated the National Sports Commission’s dedication to maximizing the power of sporting events for youth development, regional unity, and economic progress.
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