The Nigeria Association of Women in Sports (NAWIS) has successfully elected representatives to serve on the boards of national sports federations, with Omobola Tijani and Joy Ibekwe emerging victorious in tightly contested polls.
The elections were held on Friday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, during the NAWIS elective congress, which also saw the unopposed emergence of 29 other representatives across various sports federations nationwide.
Tijani, the Sports Director at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, won her election as the NAWIS representative to the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, defeating Udak Okoja by 29 votes to 11.
In the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation race, Joy Ibekwe, a seasoned sports administrator, emerged winner with 26 votes, surpassing Chinedu Onikeku, who polled 13 votes.
Speaking after her victory, Tijani, a former athlete and coach, pledged to prioritize the development of female weightlifters across Nigeria. She highlighted the lack of mentorship as a critical barrier affecting the mental and physical preparedness of female athletes.
“I was once an athlete, then a coach, and now a sports administrator. I understand the struggles of the players,” Tijani said.
“I’m ready to partner with the federation to promote weightlifting, especially among girls. Sports is now a viable career path, and we must guide athletes for life beyond competition. Education and planning are essential for their long-term success.”
She further emphasised that mentorship and structured support are vital in helping athletes reach their full potential during and after their active sports careers.
On her part, Ibekwe expressed a strong commitment to enhancing inclusivity and expanding opportunities for girls in the Nigerian sports ecosystem.
“I will ensure girls get equal chances to grow. We must give them space to reach the peak of their sports careers,” she said.
NAWIS, which advocates for equal opportunities, improved infrastructure, and greater recognition for women in sports, also focuses on talent identification and development across various disciplines.
The elective congress at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium served as a pivotal moment for NAWIS to reinforce its mission of promoting gender equity and sustainable development in the Nigerian sports industry.
