Breaking: Dr Okorie re-elected Athletes’ Representative on the Board of AFN!

Nigeria track and field international, Dr Henry Okorie has been re-elected as the athletes’ representative on the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN.

In the election held Monday at the athletes’ Games Village at Babcock University in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, the incumbent, Dr Okorie, who is a former Nigeria 400m hurdles champion and 2015 African Games finalist polled 151 votes to defeat his two rivals, Patience Okon George who polled 72 votes and ⁠Nicholas Imhoaperamhe who polled 103 votes.

Dr Okorie, who has been a model of who and what an athletes’ representative should be, expressed gratitude to all athletes who made the elections possible despite attempt to stop it.

‘I am deeply honoured by the trust my fellow athletes have placed in me. This victory is for all of us. Together, we will build a stronger voice and a brighter future for Nigerian athletics,’ Dr Okorie was quoted as saying y Dynamic Athletics on social media after his victory.

The athletes, according to sources, decided to elect their own representative despite the National Sports Commission’s decision to put elections into the board of AFN on hold because the 22nd National Sports Festival ongoing in Ogun state is the only opportunity they have to conduct their election between now and the June 15 date given by the NSC for elections into the AFN board.

The source revealed the election has been organised pursuant to article 11.3 subsection 4 (11.3.4) of the 2023 Constitution of the AFN which states inter-alia: The election of the athletes’ representative will be held during a National Championships or any major National Competition by Nigerian Athletics Athletes’ Commission in
accordance to the National Sports Federations’ Code of Governance.

‘It is important to state that the Chairman of National Athletes Association recognized by the AFN will serve as the Athlete’s representative on the Board.’

‘As you can see, there is no major competition outside the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival between now and June 15 when the term of the Tonobok Okowa-led board will expire. We duly informed the Secretary General of the AFN and copied the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Director General, Bukola Olopade and head of FEAD, Olumide Bamiduro,’ revealed the source.