Eid-el-Adha: AFN President Okowa Charges Athletes on Sacrifice, Excellence
Oru Leonard
The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Chief Tonobok Okowa, has extended warm felicitations to Muslim faithful across Nigeria on the occasion of the 2026 Eid al-Adha celebration, urging athletes to embrace sacrifice, discipline and excellence in pursuit of national glory.
In a goodwill message released on Wednesday, Okowa described Eid-el-Kabir as a festival that reflects the virtues of faith, obedience, devotion and sacrifice, values he said are vital not only in religious life but also in nation-building and sports development.
The AFN President called on Muslims to continue praying for peace, unity and progress in Nigeria, stressing that collective commitment and patriotism remain essential for the country’s advancement across all sectors, including sports.
He also charged Nigerian athletes to remain focused, disciplined and resilient in their preparations for upcoming international competitions, noting that sacrifice and hard work are critical ingredients for success on the global stage.
Okowa further commended the National Sports Commission for its consistent support towards the growth and development of athletics in Nigeria, saying the Commission’s encouragement has continued to inspire both athletes and officials to give their best in service to the nation.
According to him, sustained support for sports development, coupled with unity and determination, will enable Nigeria to attain greater heights in athletics and other sporting events.
“On behalf of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, I warmly felicitate with our Muslim brothers and sisters on this special occasion. Eid Mubarak and Barka da Sallah!” Okowa stated.
The statement was signed by Maxwell Kumoye, Chairman of the Media Committee of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
