Former Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Sunday Adeleye, has formally announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Federation, as the competition for this prestigious position heats up in anticipation of the AFN elections scheduled for next month.

Adeleye, who has a background as a national athlete, brings extensive administrative expertise to the race, having previously acted as the athletes’ representative on the AFN board.

He has also served as Executive Assistant to former Sports Minister John Enoh and continues to fulfill a similar role under the current Minister of State for Industry.

With this announcement, Adeleye adds his name to an expanding roster of candidates, which includes the current President Tonobok Okowa, former AFN President Ibrahim Gusau, and retired Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, who also held the position of Technical Director at the AFN.

In articulating his vision, Adeleye emphasized the importance of grassroots development, vowing to work closely with state athletics associations to identify and cultivate emerging talent.

“We must focus on grassroots initiatives. That is where our future champions will emerge. By establishing a functional structure and fostering collaboration at the state level, we can discover and nurture world-class athletes,” Adeleye stated.

The Kogi-born administrator expressed his commitment to restoring Nigeria’s prominence in athletics on both the continental and global stages, with an emphasis on talent development, technical proficiency, and necessary structural reforms.

“We possess abundant talent. My objective is to reclaim our pride in track and field, not merely through medal victories, but by reconstructing systems that ensure sustainable success.”

Adeleye also committed to establishing an effective communication framework between the AFN and governmental bodies, inspired by international best practices.

“I have analyzed how successful countries organize their federations. We will develop a functional AFN/Government liaison structure that guarantees accountability and efficiency.”

He also outlined plans to enhance the capabilities of Nigerian coaches, aiming to empower them for greater success.