• CAA President, AFN President, NSC DG visit former president Obasanjo

The Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), under the stewardship of Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, paid a courtesy visit to the former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, at his Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, South-West Nigeria, on Monday.

President Maboum was accompanied by the President of Asian Athletics, General Dahlan Al Hamad; the Director General of the Nigeria Sports Commission, Honourable Bukola Olopade; and the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Tonobok Okowa.

The team called on the former number one citizen of the country to help drive and accelerate the development and reform of the sport of athletics across the continent.

During the visit, Kalcabal explained that administratively, things can be better on the continent, stating that on some occasions, the CAA had to beg for support from the World Athletics (WA).

He stressed that such pleas have reduced the pride of the continent and also stifled the giving of proper consideration to African athletics.

The Cameroonian-born administrator, who first met Chief Obasanjo when he was in office, made known that the former president had been selected to be one of the pillars of their latest initiative, the Africa Sports and Culture Development Foundation.

Kalcabal also requested for his consent to be made the head of the board of trustees of the foundation, emphasizing that the foundation will help prepare African athletes for our own interests.

Obasanjo accepted the honor, stressing that he is open to any policy that will aid sports and cultural development, endeavors with a very high level of positivity and productivity.

The former military head of state welcomed the president of Asian Athletics, General Dhalang. Describing the Qatari military commander as a comrade.

He thanked the CAA for bringing the hosting rights to Nigeria and Ogun State in particular. Obasanjo was very vocal in praise for the state. “We have facilities, and we have history.”

He went on to add that any friend of Africa is most welcome in the state, adding that they will cooperate, collaborate, and partner with CAA. “We will be the best host we can be.”

Kalcabal presented the former president a letter from the corporation and also offered a book authored by a Cameroonian professor as a gift to the presidential library.