Gadzama hails Dr. Okorie’s re-election as athletes’ representative on AFN Board

First Vice President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, Tafida Gadzama, says the re-election of Dr. Henry Okorie by the athletes as their representative on the incoming board of the Federation, is a triumph of the power of the athletes to freely express themselves and not be cowed by any suppressive body.

‘Congratulations to Dr. Henry Okorie, who has been elected as the representative of athletes on the board of the incoming board of the AFN. I am delighted that he has won against the will of those who vowed he would never return because of his frankness and outspoken nature.

‘He was one of the few members of the outgoing board who has continued to ask questions about the lack of accountability and transparency in the administration of the Federation.

‘He was always up fighting for the rights of athletes and asking for athletes to be treated as the main ingredient in the whole soup that is the AFN, ‘ said Gadzama in a chat with our correspondent.

The Sydney 2000, 1999 African Games and 1997 African U20 gold medal winner believes the outgoing board of the AFN failed to tap into the organisational ability of Dr. Okorie because the Federation’s leadership detests cerebral people, that is those who are erudite, scholarly, analytical, brainy, astute, intellectual and insightful.

‘The Federation would have been a model for all others in Nigeria if people like Dr Okorie and a few others on the board had been given the opportunity to manage the Federation instead of the rudderless administration that has set the Federation several years back.’

Gadzama is praying for a new board that will not be populated by the ‘go and sin no more’ types that buried their honour and integrity in the outgoing board.

‘The AFN deserves a leader that respects his fellow board members, who respects the athletes and who will not put incompetent people to head the subcommittees.

The Federation deserves a leader who will not cover up for his officials who do not protect athletes, who in four years can not initiate talk less of negotiate a kitting and equipment deal for the Federation; who will approve money from sponsorship fee for a non-existent loan to the Federation, a loan never discussed by the board, and of course never approved by the board.

‘The AFN deserves a pragmatic leader who has a track record of organising events and giving athletes what they truly deserve,’ added Gadzama.