By Lekan Sowande, Abuja.
Confederation of African Athletes (CAA) Region II Immediate Past President Ibrahim Shehu Gusau congratulated the region’s newly elected executives on emerging victorious at the Elective Congress, held at the Lam Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana.
Nigeria chief Tonobok Okowa emerged as CAA Region II president after defeating Benin Republic Athletics Federation president Degon Vierin in the second round 9-6 after the first round round will end in a deadlock.
Gusau, the chief election observer, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the region won with no winners or losers emerging.
“CAA Region II, being the largest on the African continent, is a large and strong family with the sole purpose of developing Athletics”, Gusau said. “The election on Saturday was just a family debate to choose who will run the affairs of the region for the next four years.”
“I congratulate those elected, while those who were not elected should know and understand that we must all join these executives to lift up the region. Therefore, I urge all elected officials to work hard and ensure unity among our members.
“The challenges are enormous, but they are surmountable. Under my leadership, we were able to organize the region’s annual competition; this must continue in the interest of building on the results achieved in the last four years, in which significant progress was made in our various national federations. I can attest that this has allowed us to achieve that strong bond in the region.”
“Again, I congratulate all of our members because we are all winners.” Gusau concluded.
Other chosen ones are; Doudou Joof as vice president, Alio Oumarou as financial director, Ousmane Camara as auditor and Sawadogo Missirit as technical director. Aminata Keita and Ouoally Sara were elected members of the Council. Region II comprises all the countries of West Africa.
Sports Minister Sunday Dare congratulates Tonobok Okowa
Sports Minister Sunday Dare also joined millions of compatriots in congratulating Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President Chief Tonobok Okowa on his election as CAA Region II West Africa President.
Consequently, the election victory also means that Okowa has become one of the vice-presidents of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA).
Dare expressed his delight at the Delta state-born sports administrator’s victory, saying it is good news for Nigeria.
“I am pleased with this victory and I am also not surprised that Okowa has risen to the level of international leadership in athletics,” Sports Minister Dare said. “He has paid his dues from the grassroots, at Delta State and is now performing creditably at the national level.”
“He has had a good performance since he emerged as president of the AFN. Nigeria did well at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, our athletes were incredibly fantastic at the Commonwealth Games and even at the African Junior Athletics Championships.”
“Without a doubt, his role in these successes was important,” Dare added.
Okowa, who is also chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, claimed victory in Ghana in the first round and secured his second round win against DeGon by a vote of nine to six.
