Gadzama Tafida-Wadzani, the newly-elected First Vice-President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), on Monday urged philanthropists and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to further support sports activities in the country.

Tafida-Wadzani told newsmen in Abuja, immediately after his election into office that more support was needed for athletics particularly at the grassroots.

“We have been in crisis for a while and I can say, as the newly-elected First Vice-President, that we are going to have a functional Federation and that will end the crisis.

“But I am appealing to philanthropists and NGOs to support various sports activities to enhance development in the country, particularly sports.

“We know that they have passion for grassroots sports development and that is where our sports activities will majorly focus on and that is why we need their support.

“The administration of Tonobok Okowa in the AFN is set to regain back the lost glory of athletics and bring it back to life,” he said.

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Tafida-Wadzani expressed regrets that athletes and coaches in the sport have suffered because of the federation’s inability to look for sponsorship.

He added that the ongoing crisis in the federation has crippled their capacity to deliver.

“This has crippled our capacity to deliver, no doubt. But, the new AFN President, with his position in the country, will be able to talk to companies, such as those in the oil industry, to support athletics in Nigeria.

“They can come with their money to advertise probably and athletes will gain more from this.

“They will bring innovation, changes, and dynamism to the AFN, in spite of our lean resources,” the new AFN First Vice-President said.

He added that he was “humbled, encouraged and inspired to do more for athletics development in the country” with his election.

Tafida-Wadzani thanked the athletics congress for giving him the opportunity to contribute his quota.