Ize Matebese elected Nigeria Triathlon Union president
Ize Matebese has been elected president of the Nigeria Triathlon Union after an elective congress in Lagos. She succeeds Wale Oladunjoye and says her immediate priorities include reviving the secretariat, organising a championship and expanding school programmes to identify young athletes.
Ize Matebese has been elected president of the Nigeria Triathlon Union after the organisation’s elective congress and general assembly in Lagos on Wednesday, September 30. The congress took place at the Nigeria Olympic Committee headquarters inside the National Stadium, Surulere. Matebese succeeds Wale Oladunjoye, who led the union from 2018 and called for fresh elections after serving two terms.
The new executive includes Abiona Babarinde as first vice-president, Olukayode Oguntayo as second vice-president, Priscilla Iroaganachi as secretary-general, Raliat Abdulsalam as deputy secretary-general and Modupeola Ofonedo as treasurer. Matebese described her election as an opportunity to begin a new phase for Nigerian triathlon. She said her immediate priorities were to assemble an active development team, revive the union’s secretariat and organise a championship that could raise the sport’s profile and create public awareness.
She also identified schools as a priority for finding and developing young athletes. Matebese said the union wanted to “catch them young” and involve more students in triathlon, which combines swimming, cycling and running. The new president said the union would assess available talent and seek opportunities for athletes who could meet the standards required for major international competitions, including the Olympic Games.
Nigeria has participated in international triathlon competitions but has not yet been represented in the event at the Olympic Games. NTU life president Lanre Glover expressed confidence in the transition. He said Matebese was among the union’s foundation members and had experience of international championships and congresses.
He also called for more competitions, school sports and development programmes. Founded in November 2006, the union joined the International Triathlon Union, now World Triathlon, in February 2007. It became a full member of the African Triathlon Union and the Nigeria Olympic Committee later that year.
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