Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has inaugurated a 17-man Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2018 Senior Africa Athletics Championship, tagged “Asaba 2018.” Asaba, the state capital, will host the event.
The governor, who is keen on seeing the LOC hit the ground running, charged the members to organise a world class championship that would leave a lasting mark in the state.
Former President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Solomon Ogba, heads the LOC, while Tony Okunwa, the Executive Chairman of the Delta State Athletics Commission, is the Executive Vice Chairman.
Two-time African Champion in long jump, Yusuf Alli, is also a member of the committee along side African record holder in Women’s 400m, Falilat Ogunkoya, and Special Advicer to the Minister of Sports, Nneka Anibeze. Amechi Akawu will serve as secretary.
Meanwhile, as build-up to the election into various boards of the Sports Federations continues, former Nigerian sprinter, Effiong Udobong, has indicated his intention to lead the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
Udobong won gold medal for Nigeria in the 4x400m at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and was a bronze medallist in the same event during the Athens Games in 2014.
Udobong believes that it is high-time Nigeria paid attention to exposing athletes to competitions to sharpen their talents.
Elections into the Sports Federations are scheduled for next month.
By Felix Simire
