In 1944, a representative group of interested persons called a meeting, the outcome of which was the formation of a Central Committee of the Amateur Athletic Association of Nigeria. Today it’s known as Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
HISTORY OF ATHLETICS FEDERATION OF NIGERIA
In 1944, a representative group of interested persons called a meeting, the outcome of which was the formation of a Central Committee of the Amateur Athletic Association of Nigeria.
The gentlemen who attended the historic meeting were: T.E. Archibong , F. K. Butler, A.H. Clift, N.S. Clouston, H.J. Ekperrigin, L.M.E. Emejulu, R.G. Henderson, S.M. Oduba, P.W. Price, T.B. Welch and G. Wilson.
Shortly thereafter, Constitution Laws were drafted largely on the Laws of the Amateur Athletic Association of Great Britain, but suitably revised and enlarged to suit local circumstances. Captain D.H. Holley, M.C. was selected the first President Mr. V.B.V. Powell, O.R.E., the first Honorary Secretary and Late Pa. S.O. Jolaoso, MBE the first Honorary Assistant Secretary.
Among the known living Nigeria foundation members are Messrs H.J. Ekpergin and S.O. Jolaoso, MBE. The Leadership of the Association has changed from hand to hand, and Mr. S.O. Williams, MON, an International and first class athlete and one time Commissioner for Labour has the distinction of being the first Nigerian Chairman.
Famous and outstanding competing athlete at the time the Association was formed became the Chairman of the Association in person of Alhaji M.A. Arogundade between 1980 – 1982.
The Association sent a team of athletes to the Untied Kingdom in 1948 for local competitions and to watch the 1948 Olympic Games in London.In 1950, Nigeria started to compete in the Commonwealth Games and Mr. J.O. Majekodunmi won a Silver Medal in High Jump at Christ Church New Zealand.
Nigeria had continued to take part in the Commonwealth Games except in Perth, Australia in 1962 and has been winning Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.
In 1952, the Association for the first time sent a team to the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland and has never stopped competing in the Olympic Games except the last one when the African countries and others boycotted the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada.
Reputable Coaches from Britain and America have been invited to coach athletes in Nigeria and first class athletes have been invited from America and other countries to take part in special competitions in Nigeria organised by the Association.
Ever since the formation of the Association, it has discovered athletes who have won laurels for our great nation in various International competitions.
Below is a breakdown of the past Presidents who served at the AFN:
PRESIDENTS
1. Mr. D. H. Holley, M. C. 1944 – 45
2. Mr. A. Miller 1946 – 48
3. Mr. A. C. Hands (CBE) 1949 – 50
4. Mr. J. R. Bunting 1951 – 52
5. Mr. S. O. Williams 1953 – 54
6. Mr. P. H. Cook 1954 – 55
7. Mr. J. R. Bunting 1955 – 56
8. Late. Pa. S. O. Jolaoso (MBE) 1957 – 60
9. Mr. T. A. K. Oki 1960 – 61
10. Mr. S. O. Williams 1961 – 62
11. Mr. A. A. Ordia (MBE) 1962 – 63
12. Mr. Peter C. Chigbuo 1963 – 68
13. Mr. S. O. Williams (OON) 1969 – 79
14. Mr. M.A. Arogundade 1980 – 82
15. Mr. Peter C. Chigbuo 1982 – 83
16. Dr. George Ogan 1983 – 84
17. Wing Comdr. C. A. Dangaji 1985 – 87
18. Alhaji A.K.O. Amu (OFR) 1987 – 93
19. Mr. S. E. Akraka 1993 – 95
20. Alhaji A.K. O. Amu (OFR) 1995 – 97
21. Mr. Tony Urhobo 1997 – 98
22. Mr. Adeyemi Wilson 1998 – 2001
23. Mr. Dan Ngerem 2001 – 2005
24. Chief (Mrs.) Violet Odogwu-Nwajei (MON) 2005 – 2009
25. Chief Solomon Ogba 2009 – 2017
26. Engr Ibrahim Shehu Gusau 2017 – 2021
27. Tonobok Ojuru Okowa 2021 – date
SECRETARIES
1. Late Pa. S. O. Jolaosho (MBE) – 1944 to 1956
2. Chief A. A. Ordia (MBE) – 1959 to 1962
3. Mr. John Elueze – 1959 to 1964
4. Mr. Dan Enajekpor – 1964 to 1971
5. Late Mr. S. O. Lawal – 1971 to 1975
6. Mr. G. Babalola – 1975 to 1976
7. Mrs. A. Okpalaoka (Asst.) – 1975
8. Late Mr. Ayo Alabi – 1976 to 1977
9. Late Mr. I. Osime – 1977 to 79
10. Mrs. Yemisi Adesanya – 1980
11. Mr. A.O. Adeosun – 1981 to 1982
12. Late Ayodele Lawanson – 1982 to 1984
13. Mr. A.O. Ogundele – 1984 to 1986
14. Mr. Mohammed Bataya – 1986 to 1987
15. Mr. Alex Onyenwenwa – 1987 to 98
16. Mrs. R.U. Adiole (Asst) – 1982 to 1998
17. Mr. Clement Iyaluegbeghe (Asst) – 1988 to 1992
18. Mr. Chris Aderibigbe (Asst) – 1992 to 1995
19. Mrs. Tayo Oreweme – 1998 to 99
20. Mrs. Maria Wophill – 1999 to Jan 2001
21. Caleb Gidado – Jan to July 2001
22. Mrs. Maria Wophill – July 2001 to 2002
23. Dr. Simon Ebhojiaye – 2002 to 2005
24. Mrs. Maria Wophill – 2005 to date
25. Femi Omole (Asst) – 2002 to 2007
26. U. M. Obot (Asst) – 2002 to 2007
27. Oladapo Akinyele (Asst) – 2007 to 2009
28. Mrs. Folashade Lawal(Asst) – 2007 to 2009
29. Tony Obot 2009 – 2012 to 2014
30. Olumide Bamiduro – 2014 to 2016
31. Amechi Akawo – 2016 to 2018
32. Elijah Ademu – 2018 to 2019
33. Prince Adisa Adeniyi Beyioku – 2019 to 2021
34. Rita Mosindi – 2022 to date