Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju Elected NAWIS Representative into Athletics Federation of Nigeria

Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju Elected NAWIS Representative into Athletics Federation of Nigeria

By Admin 

Former Nigerian international athlete Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju has emerged victorious in the keenly contested election to represent the Nigeria Association for Women in Sports (NAWIS) on the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

Yusuf-Olukoju, who is based in the United States, polled 30 votes to defeat veteran sports journalist Nneka Anibeze, who garnered 15 votes in the election held on Sunday.

A third aspirant, Chinedu Odozor, another ex-athlete, had earlier stepped down from the race before voting commenced.

In her acceptance speech, Yusuf-Olukoju expressed gratitude to the leadership of NAWIS and reaffirmed her commitment to contributing meaningfully to the development of athletics and women's sports in Nigeria.

“Once again, I want to thank our founder and the EXCO leadership.

"Leadership isn’t about how far you advance yourself. It’s about how far you can advance others.

"If you aren’t passing on what you’ve learned and experienced to the people that you lead, you aren’t setting yourself up for success or a life of significance. Leaders serve others!

"Thank God I have good health and good stamina. So I am ready to contribute positively to the progress of sports in Nigeria in general and women in sports in particular.

"Let me reiterate to remind you that I have always showed up when called upon to represent Nigeria no matter where I live back then.

"I am ready to serve again in a different capacity and distance will not stand in the way when it comes to our sports. I will always be physically present to carry out this great responsibility whenever it is necessary.

"God bless Nigeria, God bless our sports community and God bless NAWIS.”

Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju, a decorated quarter-miler and Olympian, brings decades of elite sports experience to her new role and is expected to be a strong advocate for women in athletics and broader sports development efforts across Nigeria.

Meanwhile, frontline aspirant Anibeze has protested the outcome of the election following the issuance of a petition, signaling a possible challenge to the result.