‘Nigeria’s track/field deserve best treatment’

The build-up to the 2025 Sports Federation election became hotter, yesterday, following a declaration of interest by a former Students Union President of the University of Port Harcourt, Itiako Ikpokpo, in becoming the next president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

Ikpokpo, popularly known as Malik in Nigerian sports circles, is a politician and entrepreneur, who managed the recently concluded Niger Delta Sports Festival.

He was a two-time chairman of Isoko South Local Council of Delta State, and Director-General of ALGON. Through his company, Dunamis Icon Limited, and his role as Chairman of ALGON in Delta State, he launched the Delta State Local Governments Sports Festival where some star athletes were discovered for the country.

Speaking with The Guardian in a telephone chat, yesterday, Ikpokpo said he is sure of becoming the next president of the AFN in this year’s election, which is holding soon.

“I have been playing an underground role in Nigeria track and field and this is the time to manage it at the top level.

“In the past week, I have received several calls from both athletes and administrators who are happy with the bold step I have taken to join this AFN president race. Someone asked me a funny question – if I am coming into this race because of the success of the Niger Delta Sports Festival? My response was, ‘What sports initiative did all former presidents and even the present leader make before they became president of the AFN?’

“The AFN needs someone who commands respect from the corporate world, and not depend on government funds alone. Nigeria has a pool of athletes, who are doing well globally, and I am of the opinion that the AFN needs someone like me at this time,” Ikpokpo said.

The Guardian learnt, yesterday, that Ikpopko’s move to join the AFN presidential race has sparked tension within the federation following his passion for track and field, as well as his credentials. One board member of the current AFN leadership told The Guardian that Ikpokpo’s decision to join the race has thrown the campaign wide open.

“Apart from the huge success of the Niger Delta Sports Festival, which is a grassroots- driven initiative aimed at rekindling widespread interest in sports, Ikpokpo has been a known figure behind the discovery and nurturing of talents, as well as, empowering youth through structured athletics development in Delta State and in the South-South region. I see him winning the AFN presidency.”

Another AFN official, a top track and field coach, however, said that Ikpokpo has a huge mountain to climb in his bid to win the presidential seat.

“There are cabals in the system, and as we speak, they have shared all the positions, including the AFN presidency.

“First, Ikpokpo will have to fight his way in from the South-South zone, where the current president hails from. But I see him winning the seat because the current board is facing a lot of battles. The Federal Government may not have forgiven the current AFN board because of the poor role it played in Favour Ofili’s saga at the Paris Olympic Games, which portrayed Nigeria in bad light. There are other issues, which might hurt the current AFN board when the election campaigns come up fully,” the coach stated.

An online report at the weekend stated that top officials of the National Sports Commission (NSC), are solidly behind Ikpokpo’s bid to become the next AFN president.