By Flinster Austin
Published on 2024-02-04 04:07:39
The athletes of Delta State are urging Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to carefully consider who will replace the outgoing chairman of the Delta Sports Commission, Tonobok Okowa. With the end of Okowa’s tenure approaching in February, many individuals are vying for the position, and the state’s athletes are determined to ensure that a sports technocrat is ultimately selected.
Under Okowa’s leadership, Team Delta excelled in the nation’s sports, securing victory at the National Sports Festival in Abuja in 2018, Edo in 2020, and Asaba in 2022. Additionally, Team Delta claimed victory at the National Youth Games an impressive seven times and successfully hosted several national and international events, including the 2018 Senior African Athletics Championships, the 2022 National Sports Festival, and the National Youth Games in 2023.
In discussions with The Guardian, several athletes expressed their support for Onoriode Oborevwori, also known as Onos, who is a former player with Fragile FC of Warri. Onos played for Fragile FC in Warri in 1999, alongside former Super Eagles player Joseph Enaikarhire and Ishola Shuaibu, before shifting his focus to his hotel business. According to the athletes, Onos possesses a strong financial foundation, evident through his diverse investments in hotels and sand distribution for buildings. They believe that his financial stability is a key asset, as it ensures that athletes receive necessary funding, especially in times when government funding is delayed.
Additionally, the athletes highlighted instances of Onos providing free sponsorship to local football clubs and offering accommodations in his hotel for teams and athletes. A volleyball player praised Onos for his philanthropy, stating that athletes do not require a candidate who relies solely on government funding for sporting activities. Instead, they need a leader who, like Onos, can offer support and resources from personal financial means. Furthermore, a female weightlifter emphasized the need for a leader who can sponsor athletes to competitions using personal funds in order to overcome delays in government funding.
The athletes are not only calling for a leader with strong financial backing, but also one who has consistently demonstrated a commitment to supporting sports and athletes in the region. Despite being related to the governor, Onos is considered highly qualified for the position due to his philanthropic efforts and the tangible impact he has had on local sports. It is evident that the athletes of Delta State are unified in their desire for a leader who can provide consistent and reliable support for their athletic endeavors. As the battle for the chairmanship of the Delta Sports Commission continues, it is crucial that Governor Oborevwori carefully considers the athletes’ insight and takes their recommendations into account when making his final decision.
