{
  "id": 11310814,
  "title": "Matebese emerges Nigeria Triathlon Union president",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/matebese-emerges-nigeria-triathlon-union-president",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-02T00:04:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/matebese-emerges-nigeria-triathlon-union-president/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Nigeria Triathlon Union has inaugurated a new leadership team with the election of Ize Matebese as its president during the union's electoral congress. Matebese, a prominent legal practitioner and a founding member of the union, made history as the first woman to lead the organization in 20 years, succeeding the previous president, Prince Wale Oladunjoye. She was previously the union's first vice-president, serving in various other roles such as treasurer-general and legal adviser. Matebese also held positions on the Legal Committee of World Triathlon. In her acceptance speech, she expressed her commitment to reviving the popularity of triathlon and organizing more high-profile tournaments. She emphasized the importance of supporting the youth and encouraging more athletes to participate in international events, including the Olympics. The newly elected board includes Abiona Babarinde as first vice president, Olukayode Oguntayo as second vice president, Priscilla Iroaganachi as secretary general, and Raliat Abdulsalam as deputy secretary general. Modupeola Ofonedu was elected as treasurer. The union, founded in 2006, is an active member of the International Triathlon Union, World Triathlon, African Triathlon Union, and the Nigeria Olympic Committee.",
  "summary": "A new chapter has begun for the Nigeria Triathlon Union following the election of Ize Matebese as president at the union’s elective congress held at the Nigeria Olympic Committee Secretariat inside the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Wednesday. Matebese, a prominent legal practitioner and one of the founding members of the union, emerged after polling Read More:…",
  "key_points": [
    "Ize Matebese elected as Nigeria Triathlon Union president, first woman in 20 years",
    "Matebese served as first vice-president and held various other roles",
    "New board includes Abiona Babarinde, Olukayode Oguntayo, Priscilla Iroaganachi"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The election of Ize Matebese as president of the Nigeria Triathlon Union marks a significant shift with her vows to revive triathlon's popularity and support youth participation in high-profile and international events.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Matebese emerges Nigeria Triathlon Union president",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/matebese-emerges-nigeria-triathlon-union-president-11315406",
        "published": "2026-10-02T00:32:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}