Akanni Seyi
There's no gain saying the fact that the sports federations in the state of Osun are currently grasping at straws with nothing visibly seen as last resort, there's a need for immediate intervention and the new government must grease the wheel of our sports federations with training facilities as a matter of urgency.
The current terrain ensured that one has to move between 'Scylla and Charybdis' like the ancient ship in the Odyssey had to traverse a narrow straight between a whirl pool and the lair of a monster so as to subsist.
The state is definitely blessed with talents that are willing to fight for the state in the various sporting activities but like a biblical Macedonia, who is going to come over and help the aspirations of these athletes? Definitely we need a Paul who is laden with interest to right the wrong in the sector.
Talents alone ain't enough to become a champion. Workers in the state have endured a lengthy period of hunger to sacrifice for infrastructural developments only for sporting facilities to suffer neglect. Schools were commissioned, hundreds kilometers of roads tagged 'Ona Baba Ona' have since been certified for use.
The only 'Opomulero' city stadium known as the pride of Osun is still far from being completed.
There is a need to call the attention of brother Paul to come to our Macedonia and help us at this juncture.
Yes, footballers abound in the state but where is the training pitch? boxers are willing to train but where is the ring? Kids wanted to become a super rider but where are bicycles? No lawns nor tables for tennis players, no track to train athletes to stardom, weightlifters are subjecting themselves to torrid conditions to get something done.
Personal efforts of our numerous athletes and their coaches have been bringing laurels to our dear state. Adegoke Abdullah, a fast rising taekwondo athlete is a blessing to this state, having achieved so much in 2013 National Youth Games, also grabbed gold in NIPOGA 2014, he attended Youth Olympics and Junior World championship in 2014 with classy performances but today, where's the motivation? Taekwondo alone has given the state 54 medals, since 2013, 16 gold 14 silver 24 bronze.
Same goes to Islamiat Yusuf who is becoming fast rising in weight-lifting and few other athletes that have written the name of this dear state in Gold. We should encourage and motivate these lads for what the future holds for them.
State of Osun FA cadets have just made a landmark history in Sagamu by winning both U-13 and U-15 coveted trophies in the zonal Future Eagles Championship. The question is which facility are they using for their training? Well, this is another opportunity for the state government to shower encomium and reward these junior soldiers adequately.
Osun contingents at the just concluded National Sports Festival almost ended up in a vicious cycle if not for individual effort of immediate past commissioner for Social Protection, Sports and Special Needs, Com. Biyi Odunlade whose effort in securing funds for the athletes and officials yielded a last minute result, eliminating fear of being absent at the glamorous festival, for how long would this menace of 'no fund' tonic be heard, which is apparently as phony as three-dollar bill.
State of Osun had an overwhelming performance at the festival amassing a total of 33 medals, 8 gold, 7 silver and 18 bronze, as we have finally pinned 13th on the medals table. This is a state that arrived the festival on game day even without a concrete monetary compensation plan for the medals won unlike a state like Delta that promised a whooping million naira for each gold won.
Sports contributes to higher levels of self-esteem and self-worth. Helps to sustain the environment through protecting open space and natural areas. Sporting activities remain the hub of community life, especially in the regions. It also provides economic growth through business investments, employment, major events and tourisim, therefore, this government is expected to settle down on-time and invest heavily in this sector in order to avoid betting on wrong horse.
Going by the high flying status of Osun athletes in various competitions, one would conclude that in less than a month in the office, Governor Gboyega Oyetola's regime has witnessed a foundational, revolutionary and cutting-edge achievements, more reasons the number one citizen must shift focus in a bid to revamping the sector.
His Excellency is seriously toiling day and night, making contacts, seeking assistance from relevant stakeholders to fix bad roads and revamp the economy of the state, also, government should endeavors to bring in private investors directly into the sporting sector with clear cut policy statements. Osun have lost promising talents to various states owing to poor facilities and paltry compensation system.
Of a truth, the future is bright and state of Osun will rise again. One must give kudos to individuals who have shown great commitments in sustaining the sector for us. They are too numerous to mention but credit should be given to the 'Pillar Of Sports' in the state, The 'Fiwajoye' himself, Chief Joseph Taiwo Ogunjobi for his constant and unwavering supports.
Sports nowadays have proven to be a gravy train with proper investments and youths in order to make a living beacon, no longer need to have their hands in the till.
Macedonians need Paul for survival, same way state of Osun sports sector in sheer need of the rapt attention of government genuinely, here is a MAN from Macedonia beckoning
