The immediate past President of the Confederation of African Athletes (CAA) Region II, Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, has congratulated the newly elected executives of the region for emerging victorious at the Elective Congress, held at the Lam Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana.
Nigeria’s Chief Tonobok Okowa emerged as President of CAA Region II after defeating the President of Benin Republic Athletics Federation, Degon Vierin, in the second round 9-6 after the first round ended in a stalemate.
Gusau, the Chief Observer of the election in a statement issued on Sunday, said the region won as neither victors nor vanquish emerged.
“The CAA Region II being the biggest in the continent of Africa is one big and strong family with a sole purpose to develop Athletics,” Gusau said. “Saturday’s election was only 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 weren’t elected should know, and understand that we must all join hands with these executives to lift the region. I therefore charge 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 organise the region’s annual competition; this ought to continue for the sake of building on results achieved in the last four years,wherein meaningful progress was made in our various national federations.I can attest that this has enabled us to achieve that strong bond in the region.”
“Again, I congratulate all our members because we all are winners.” Gusau concluded.
Others elected are; Doudou Joof as Vice President, Alio Oumarou emerged as Financial Director, Ousmane Camara emerged as Auditor, while Sawadogo Missirit returned as Technical Director. Aminata Keita and Ouoally Sara were elected Council Members. Region II comprises of all countries in West Africa.
Sports Minister Sunday Dare Congratulates Tonobok Okowa
Sports Minister Sunday Dare also joined millions of compatriots to congratulate the president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa on his election as the president of CAA Region II, West Africa
Consequently, the election victory also means Okowa has become one of the vice presidents of the Confederation African Athletics (CAA).
Dare expressed his delight at the victory of the Delta State-born sports administrator, stating that it comes as good news to Nigeria.
“I’m glad at this victory and I’m also not surprised that Okowa has ascended to the level of international leadership in athletics,” Sports Minister Dare said. “He has paid his dues from the grassroots, in Delta State and now he is performing creditably at the national level.”
“He has performed well since he emerged president of the AFN. Nigeria had a good outing at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, our athletes were incredibly fantastic at the Commonwealth Games and even at the African Youth Athletics Championship.”
“Without doubt, his role in these successes were major,” Dare added.
Okowa, who is also the chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, claimed the victory in Ghana in the first round, clinched his victory at the second round against DeGon with nine votes to six.
