Sportsmen and women in Delta State are said to be grumbling over alleged move by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to appoint his biological brother, Tony Okowa, as chairman of Delta Sports Commission.

Governor Okowa had dissolved the Sports Commission headed by Amaju Pinnick shortly after he assumed office and has not named a replacement.

An official of the Sports Commission alleged yesterday that Okowa has concluded plans to appoint his brother, Tony Okowa, as DSSC boss.

The official, who pleaded anonymity, said Tony was recommended for the post by a former member of the Sports Commission, who believes that the Governor will easily accept his nominee since they are members of the same family.

The official claimed that Tony Okowa does not have the requisites to move sports forward in the state, adding that those pushing for his appointment are only doing so for their selfish interest.

According to the official, Tony Okowa is already operating on acting capacity as Delta Sports Commission boss even without a letter to that effect.

“The Director General of the Commission is already taking order from him even though he has not been given a letter to that effect. He does not have what it takes to lead our sports,” the official said.

But Tony Okowa brushed aside such allegation while speaking with The Guardian yesterday.

He said: “How can someone become Sports Commission chairman without a formal letter to that effect? It is not true.”

Okowa, a former vice chairman of Delta Football Association, said, however, that if his brother felt he was the best man to lead sports in Delta State, he would gladly accept the position.

“I have what it takes to change the face of sports in our state and if such opportunity comes, I will jump at it,” he said: “I was chairman of Delta Force FC for four years and many people still remember what I did concerning welfare of players and the achievement we made.

“Before I was appointed chairman of Delta Force FC of Asaba, I was managing my football club (Appeteez FC), and it was a huge success. Our sports has to move from this epileptic state of people poaching athletes from other states to represent us at National Sports festival instead of grooming our own. We have a sports-man as our Governor at the moment and if he feels that I can fit into the position as chairman of the Sports Commission, so be it. I will gladly accept it,” Okowa said.