Nigerian Olympic Gold medalist, Gadzama faults election process of Athletics Federation of Nigeria

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By Ibraheem Hamza Muhammad

Mr. Tafida Gadzama, First Vice President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has faulted the alleged sudden change of the federation ‘s constitution by the Chairman, Mr Tonobok Okowa.

Gadzama, who is the first and only Nigerian from the northern Nigeria to have won gold at the 4×400 meters relay at the Olympics, held in Sydney Australia told Journalists in Abuja that the National Sports Commission, (NSC) and sports stakeholders should be informed of the alleged activities of the incumbent Chairman, Okowa, who is vice President, Confederation of African Athletics.

According to him, “It is alleged that the chairman of AFN, Mr Tonobok Okowa has constituted an emergency congress and changed the constitution to favour his quest for a second term without due process and nothing to show as his achievements.

“His lack of good leadership led Nigeria to miss participation at the World Indoor Championship in China early this year.” He said.

Mr. Tafida Gadzama said he has been a sportsman who sacrificed, train and is making Nigeria proud, he wouldn’t relent in ensuring that their is a good athletes administration to support upcoming talents.

The Olympic gold medallist, is calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate and House Committee on Sports, Minister of Youth, National Sports Commission Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN) and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the incoming election was done in accordance with the previous accredited constitution to avoid breakdown of law and order.

Mr. Tafida calls on the sports stakeholders to know that any bad attitude against sports personalities leads to losing Nigerian sports ambassadors to other countries, like Boxer Anthony Joshua flying British flag, Basketballer Akeem (The Dream) Olajuwon flying American flag.

The Olympian calls on the NSC to right the alleged wrong of Mr. Okowa for the good of athletics in particular and sports in general.