Aliyu emerges ACAN President, promises good governance

Former international, Solomon Aliyu, at the weekend emerged the President of the Athletics Coaches Association of Nigeria in an election conducted at the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, Edo State.

The police officer specialised in sprints and hurdles during his active years as an athlete.

Aliyu came tops after his opponent, another ex-international, Seigha Porbeni, was disqualified.

According to reports from the election venue, Porbeni was disqualified as his financial status was contrary to the constitution of the association.

He only paid his dues in December as against paying monthly, which must be up to date in the last six months before the election.

Ayodele Sholaja emerged as the 1st Vice President, with Emilia Oyase emerging as the 2nd Vice President, while Ayopo Shogbayi was voted in as the Secretary General.

Aliyu promised to work with all the coaches.

The president added that the new board would be pushing for the review of the association’s constitution.

“I want to thank my fellow coaches for allowing me to lead the association and I am promising them good governance,” he said.

“The most important task at hand now will be how to ensure that we have a comprehensive database for all our coaches so as to know how to work together as a unit.

“There is also need for a viable, operational and functional website which will help us to pass information to the whole world while the interest and welfare of members would be the priority of this current board of ACAN.”

Others also on the Board are: Wale Olatunji (Assistant Secretary), Felix Osiebe (PRO), Christopher Ameh (Chief Whip), Emem Edem Ikhaobomeh (Treasurer), Murfy Abaji (Financial Secretary), Oluyomi Sule (Auditor 1), Onianwa Sandra (Auditor 2), Akinpelu Saheed (Welfare 1) and US-based Pat Itanyi as Welfare 2.