The representative of the National Association of Women In Sports (NAWIS) on the executive committee of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju, has promised to work hand in hand with all track and field stakeholders in order to move the sector forward.
Sports247 reports that Yusuf-Olukoju spoke in the aftermath of peace that was brokered by the National Sports Commission (NSC) director-general, Honourable Bukola Olopade, between her and Dr Ikem Anibeze, fellow NAWIS candidate during the AFN’s recent board elections.
Yusuf-Olukoju downplayed friction that reportedly erupted after she won the election, following which Anibeze allegedly protested her eligibility with a petition to both the AFN and NSC, but the ex-athlete described it as a ‘family matter’ that has been settled amicably.
Yusuf-Olukoju expatiated: “We are all a family, and we are moving forward in the right direction. People do fight in a family, but they should be able to amend and move on.”
The ex-athlete, now a coach and administrator, went on to affirm that she, Anibeze and other women in sports, as well as all athletics stakeholders, have a common interest of taking the sector further than where it is at present, which she believes will be possible through concerted efforts among them.
“We all have one goal, which is to see Nigeria succeed and to see the athletics federation succeed. So, whatever the tension might have been, we all have one vision. We can always come back to do whatever has to be done to move our agenda forward.
“So, we discussed the 2028 Olympics. We are going to team up together and move this federation forward. We had a fruitful meeting with the DG because he’s a man who wants to make sure things go well,” Yusuf-Olukoju posited
