National Sports Festival – Gateway Games 2025 Exploit: Osun State Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow – By Kolawole Afinni
Osun State was carved out of the old Oyo State in 1992 and within the spate of her existence, has proven to be a force to be reckoned with, spectacularly with her outstanding performances at the just concluded National Sports Festival, tagged OGUN 2024, where it hauled in 13 Gold, 3 Silver, 9 Bronze (25 medals) to come 9th out of the 38 states that participated.
OUR PARTICIPATION: The State was led to the 10 day colourful events by the out – going General Manager, Mr. Rotimi Dunmoye with 130 athletes that competed in just only 25 sporting events, out of the 38 organized events.
Osun State has produced many notable figures across various sections with world – class athletes and administrators such as THOMPSON ONIBOKUN (MON); CHIEF ADEGBOYEGA ONIGBINDE; SENIOR APOSTLE PETER ADEDIJI; DR.FELIX OWOLABI (MON); ADEYEMI SERANO; ALHAJA AYO OMIDIRAN; MUDASIRU YUSUFF; MRS. ADETOLA USMAN; AFINNI KOLAWOLE (West Africa Beach Tennis Coordinator).
Our Noble State has also produced sports icons for Nigeria, Africa and the World through the likes of: Mrs. Islamiyat Yusuff (weight lifting); Adenike Olawuyi (Basket Ball) Laitan.
No doubt, Osun State has a distinguished sporting heritage as she has been well represented at the National Youth Games.
Hitherto the OGUN 2024 Games, Osun State was classified into the FLY WEIGHT/ PAPER WEIGHT Category; courtesy the GRAND – MASTER FABIO ‘LANIPEKUN (Sunday Tribune, 1 March, 2009). Other States in that category with the latest results are; YOBE, JIGAWA, ADAMAWA, TARABA, GOMBE, KEBBI, SOKOTO, ZAMFARA, KOGI And KWARA.
While the LIGHT WEIGHT Class Consist of KATSINA, ENUGU, ANAMBRA, NIGER, NASARAWA, BAUCHI, EBONYI, BENUE and BORNO.
The classified MIDDLE WEIGHT class states are AKWA IBOM, PLATEAU, KANO, CROSS RIVER, IMO, KADUNA and the special class of the invited Junior Athletes.
The Non – Controversial HEAVY WEIGHT class are: DELTA, BAYELSA, OGUN, RIVERS, EDO, OYO, LAGOS, FCT, OSUN and ABIA.
I – m – o – l – e !!!
In 2006 edition of the National Sports Festival hosted at Abeokuta, Osun State seeming poor outing was greeted with outrage condemnation, as a cross section of sport – loving members of the public in the state lamented the poor showing of the state contingent to the Games condemning the disgraceful position – (Tunde Odetola, The Punch, April 26, 2006).
No doubt the administration of His Excellency Senator (Dr.) Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke must be credited for the sterling quality of achievements, with the appointment of his Deputy His Excellency, Prince. KOLA ADEWUSI who doubles as the commissioner of sport. A man that inspires great confidence to the various astronomical, monumental achievements being recorded at the sporting outings in recent time (BasketBall, VolleyBall, HandBall, FootBall e.t.c)
These results were a fair, direct reflection of the level of investment and commitment the administration of His Excellency, have made on sports generally, as opposed to Football only.
Today, realizing the need to invest in modern sports infrastructure and provision of necessary supports towards a realistic development of our sporting programme; the facilities are being seriously overhaul with the stadium not just wearing a new look; Not just gotten a make over, but truly being transformed, though very slow. And, at its completion, for record breaking, must have modern art of state courts for Handball, Volleyball, Basketball and Tennis.
Ironically, the various present courts at the stadium are gifted, as none was constructed by the Government! Each games should ideally have a minimum of 3 standard modern courts.
We know His Excellency, the Governor to be a goal – getter and a man of high – taste who does not believe in half – measures and will endeavour embark on steps that would fetch his administration accolades from far and near. This loving administration is expected to put sporting activities in the state on a strong footing, by rehabilitating fully, the abandoned GAMES VILLAGE at IJEDA, IJEBU – JESHA; a design that is second to none in the South West.
This line of action shall no doubt
Enhance and elevate sports at the grass roots.
Afford the establishment of standard programmes for athlete succession.
Shall encourage early participation in sports as competitions and festival remain the spring board into fame for the upcoming and promising athletes
There and then can Osun be dreaming of entering the hall fame of the National Sports Festival Hosting states, with a solid plan to organize and host a MAIDEN edition of the classical Bi – annual National Sports Festival to be tagged “IMOLE 2028”. Imole can do it.
CHALLENGES:- The task before the sports Council Management is how to maintain and improve on the standard achieved so far. Ensuring that the state remains in the HEAVY WEIGHT class. Honestly it is achievable.
Abundant talents are available in the state; and if properly harnessed, shall be assets in our quest for National and International recognition and fame.
Osun State is the least developed, in infrastructure. We are only blessed and lucky with a kind administration, committed staff and loyal, determined athletes.
However, the government should consider:
More attention to sports Development
Adequate provision for the needs of coaches and athletes.
More participation of athletes in organized Local, National and International Competitions.
Provision of the state – of the Art Facilities such as Indoor sports Hall, Swimming Pool, Hostel accommodation e.t.c.
THE FUTURE (TOMORROW) Certainly with the continuous support and encouragement of this administration towards sports development, we can only join others for Imole! Imole!! Imole!!! Now; so as to guarantee the stability and success of the sporting programmes.
Hence, the need to advocate and ensure that, whosoever is receiving the baton from Mr. Dunmoye must be seen to be above board in all ramifications, Devoted, Disciplined, Determined and Dedicated. Osun has them in quantum both within and outside the sports council establishment; Osun can boast and be proud of seasoned sports administrators like LAYI ADESIYAN (Ag PS, Director of Sports, Ministry of Social and special needs); ADEGOKE ADEYEMI (Director of Ministry of Social and special needs,) e.t.c. from outside the establishment, as well as blessed within for a due replacement with seasoned, very professional, dynamic goal getters personnel such as Mrs. Amiola Bolaji Oladokun; Mr. Demola Daini (Director of Sports and Coaching), Mrs. Ronke Ajibola (Director of Sports, Development and Organization), Mrs. Olabiyi Abimbola ( Assistant Director of Sports, and organization), Mrs. Osho Adejoke (Assistant Director of Coaching and Training)e.t.c. all in their classical, outstanding status reckoning that should be ready to carry the mantle being left by Mr. Dunmoye.
However, considering the enormity of the tasks ahead; and with the known variables like age, experience on the job, qualifications, status e.t.c one is tempted to suggest and submit for the kind consideration and approval of His Excellency, a well grounded tactician, outstanding National Volleyball player, a tested and trusted seasoned administrator, a distinguished organizer of men and material per excellence, OAU Alumni; Director of Sports Development and organization, member sports council management, a unifying true leader whose meekness is her strength, married and blessed (MRS. FATIMAH ADERONKE AJIBOLA).
She needs to be encouraged to attain the leadership of the Osun State Sports Council, so as to ensure the sustainability of achievements; inspire greater confidence in the sports community; to promote rapid growth and development; and retain the ability of the glory and fame gotten during His Excellency’s administration.
With the re – election of His Excellency Senator (Dr.) Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke as a governor for another eventful coming years the future of sports in Osun State is certainly guaranteed and assured. We are all now very happy and proud to come from Osun.
Let us keep the flag flying with His Excellency Senator (Dr.) Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke
KOLAWOLE AFINNI (West Africa Beach Tennis Coordinator)
07067852428
