Nesiama earns World Athletics nod as international starter for Dakar Youth Olympics

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By Maxwell Kumoye
 
 

Nigeria’s growing profile in international athletics officiating has received another major boost with the appointment of Retired Commodore Omatseye Nesiama as an International Starter for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.

The prestigious appointment by World Athletics is a recognition of Nesiama’s wealth of experience, technical expertise and contributions to athletics officiating at continental and global levels.

Nesiama is currently the Chairman of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Technical and Development Commission and a member of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Technical and Competitions Commission.

He previously served as Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and is a World Athletics-certified technical officials’ lecturer.

His impressive officiating résumé includes serving as a World Athletics-licensed athletes’ manager, referee at the 2024 African Games in Accra, Ghana, Start Referee at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix and International Referee at the 2026 World Athletics Relays in Gaborone.

At the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Nesiama made history as the first Nigerian appointed referee at the prestigious global competition.

He has also officiated at several African U-18, U-20 and Senior Athletics Championships, further underlining his standing as one of Nigeria’s experienced technical officials.

His latest appointment for Dakar 2026 further highlights the growing recognition of Nigerian expertise within the international athletics officiating community and reinforces the country’s influence beyond the track as an important contributor to the sport’s technical administration.
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