‘A huge moment for me’: Omogbeja reacts to Ondo 50 Sports Icons Award

Veteran sports journalist Yomi Omogbeja has described his recognition at the Ondo 50 Sports Icons Award as a pleasant surprise and a homecoming, reflecting on his family’s historical connection with sports administration in the state.

Mr Omogbeja, editor-in-chief of Athletics Africa, was among 50 sports personalities, administrators, media organisations and institutions honoured by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ondo State Chapter, for their contributions to sports development.

The award ceremony, held in Akure, was part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of Ondo State’s creation.

Reacting to the honour in a statement to Premium Times, Mr Omogbeja said he was particularly moved by the recognition despite living far from home.

“It was a pleasant surprise and a great privilege for me to receive the award. It’s particularly heartwarming for me and felt good to be remembered even when one is so far from home,” he said.

He described the recognition as a homecoming of sorts, recalling that his father served as an executive member of the Ondo State Sports Council in the 1980s.

“It’s like a homecoming of sorts because my Dad used to be an Executive member of the Ondo State Sports Council in the 80s,” he said.

Mr Omogbeja said being recognised alongside prominent figures, including former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko and former Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye, made the occasion particularly significant.

“And to be so honoured among eminent personalities like the former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; former Chairman of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye; and many more distinguished sons and daughters of our state is a huge moment for me,” he added.

Three decades of sports journalism

Mr Omogbeja, who hails from Idogun in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, has more than 30 years of experience in sports journalism, with a career spanning traditional and digital media.

He is the editor-in-chief of Athletics Africa, which was launched in July 2004 as Africa’s first dedicated track and field news and events platform.

His professional experience includes coverage of major FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF) tournaments, as well as multiple International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), now World Athletics, indoor, cross-country and outdoor championships and Olympic Games since 1999.

He has also worked with several media organisations, including The News/Tempo, Punch Newspapers, National Interest Newspapers and Africa Oil+Gas Report. He was among the pioneer planning and online editors of the defunct 234NEXT.com when it launched in 2008.

His international experience includes working as a producer and editorial manager for local content at West-Midlands Cable Ananova.com in Leeds, United Kingdom.

Beyond journalism, Mr Omogbeja has collaborated with media organisations, national sports federations and government ministries in Nigeria, Ghana and Zimbabwe on digital transformation, new media solutions and strategic communications.

READ ALSO: Russia vs Nigeria: Six players who could force their way into Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles plans

His academic qualifications include master’s degrees in Web Journalism from the University of Sheffield, Sociology and Psychology of Sports from the University of Ibadan, and Olympic Studies from the German Sport University Cologne. He also holds a professional diploma in Digital Marketing, Sponsorship and Communications from Barça Universitas.

His contributions to sports journalism have earned him several distinctions, including the Telkom/SABC/Highway Africa Innovation Award for Journalism in 2011 and recognition as a finalist in the 2004 Press Gazette UK Student Online Journalist of the Year awards.

In October 2025, he was inducted as a Fellow of SWAN (FSWAN) and received the association’s Veteran Sports Journalist Award during its Diamond Jubilee celebration.