‘AFN needs someone who commands respect from the corporate world, and not depend on government funds alone’: Says AFN Presidential aspirant, Malik

Itiako Ikpokpo has told The Guardian newspaper the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, ‘needs someone who commands respect from the corporate world, and not depend on government funds alone’ as he confirmed his intention to contest for the position of the president of the Federation in next month’s elections.

Sportsnow.com.ng first broke the story about the huge encouragement the man fondly called Malik and who organized the hugely successful Niger Delta Sports Festival is getting from track and field stakeholders, especially from the South South region and within the hierarchy of the National Sports Commission, NSC.

Malik, a two-time Local Government Chairman in Delta state, has not only confirmed he is indeed in the race but he is also confident of dethroning the incumbent, Tonobok Okowa who presided over a crisis-ridden Federation in the last four years.

‘I have been playing an underground role in Nigeria track and field and this is the time to manage it at the top level.

‘In the past week, I have received several calls from both athletes and administrators who are happy with the bold step I have taken to join this AFN president race. Someone asked me a funny question – if I am coming into this race because of the success of the Niger Delta Sports Festival?

‘My response was, ‘What sports initiative did all former presidents and even the present leader make before they became president of the AFN?’

‘The AFN needs someone who commands respect from the corporate world, and not depend on government funds alone. Nigeria has a pool of athletes, who are doing well globally, and I am of the opinion that the AFN needs someone like me at this time,’ Ikpokpo was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

Athletics stakeholders in Nigeria believe Okowa is no match for Malik as the former has not been able to manage the AFN effectively and efficiently.

The incumbent will also have to explain why the Audit Committee set up by the Federation asked him to refund N40m he approved as a loan for himself and paid with Premium Trust Bank sponsorship money when there was no agreement reached between him and the board of the Federation.

It is also under his watch a number of Nigerian athletes have been accused of age falsification. He also failed to take responsibility as President of AFN for the non-registration of sprinter, Favour Ofili for the 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.