By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-01-24 03:22:35
The tenure of the current Chairman of Delta Sports Commission, Tonobok Okowa, is set to end in February of this year. As a result, there is a fierce battle underway among the contenders vying for the position in Asaba.
During Okowa’s tenure, Team Delta achieved significant success, winning the National Sports Festival three times, at Abuja 2018, Edo 2020, and Asaba 2022. They also secured victory at the National Youth Games a record seven times. Additionally, Delta State hosted several national and international events under Okowa’s leadership, including the 2018 Senior African Athletics Championships, the 2022 National Sports Festival, and the National Youth Games in 2023.
According to sources, there are over seven top contenders competing for the position, with each one utilizing various means to lobby Governor Sheriff Oborevwore for the role. Some are reportedly leveraging political connections with the governor, while others, such as former Director General of the Sports Commission, Victor Onogagamue, and a relation of the Governor, Onos Oborevwori, are said to be influencing the selection process more strongly.
The source also revealed that based on a tradition of rotating the chairman position among the senatorial districts of Delta State, it is currently the turn of Delta Central Senatorial District to produce the Sports Commission chairman. There were also indications that the current Governor might consider extending the tenure of Tonobok Okowa for at least two more years to allow the contenders to learn from him.
Other notable contenders for the position include former Super Eagles player Sam Sodje and Ernest Juweto, a member of the current Sports Commission board.
Considering the influential and secure nature of the position, with chairmen typically serving their full four-year term despite any cabinet reshuffles, the Delta State Sports Commission is considered a lucrative position.
Overall, there is intense competition for the leadership of the Delta Sports Commission, with high-profile individuals from diverse backgrounds vying for the role in an intricate and complicated selection process.
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