As the 2024 National Sports Festival in Ogun State approaches, I write to you not just as a concerned citizen, but as a passionate advocate for youth empowerment, sports development, and sustainable growth in Oyo State.
This is more than a public appeal, it is a call to action.
At the Edo 2020 edition, Team Oyo exceeded expectations, finishing 6th with a remarkable haul of 103 medals, a clear signal of the immense potential within our ranks. We advanced this progress at Delta 2022, moving up to 4th place with 50 gold medals (later reviewed to 43), a historic achievement that reflected not only talent, but commitment and resilience.
Now, as Ogun 2024 draws near, the question before us is no longer whether we can break into the top three, but whether we are adequately preparing to sustain our upward trajectory, or worse, avoid a setback.
Your Excellency, success in sports, like in governance, requires vision, strategy, and deliberate investment. Unfortunately, recent indicators point to an alarming lack of readiness and coordination.
I must respectfully draw your attention to the following pressing issues:
• Absence of a standard training pitch for our hockey team, as well as insufficient equipment and kits for athletes in other sports.
• Low morale among athletes, who have received no financial support or stipends since the zonal eliminations in February.
• Unfulfilled promises of rewards for medal-winning to some athletes from Asaba 2022, dampening motivation and trust.
• Disorganized logistics during the zonal elimination, where athletes competed on empty stomachs due to delayed meal provision.
• No pre-elimination training camp, and no current plans in place for full competition preparation.
These are not just logistical lapses, they are missed opportunities that threaten the momentum we’ve built over the years.
To move forward meaningfully, I propose the urgent establishment of an Oyo State Sports Commission, an independent, professional body tasked with the coordination, regulation, and promotion of sports development. This model is already delivering results in other forward-thinking states.
In addition, I urge Your Excellency to consider the following immediate interventions:
• Structured early camping and training programs for all participating sports.
• Provision of adequate sports kits, nutrition, and welfare packages.
• Timely financial incentives for both athletes and coaches.
• A transparent, accountable technical and administrative framework to guide our efforts.
This goes beyond winning medals. It’s about nurturing a generation of inspired, disciplined, and empowered youth. It’s about showcasing Oyo State as a beacon of excellence and intentional leadership.
Let history remember that under your watch, we didn’t let potential fade, we transformed it into a legacy.
The time to act is now.
A word is enough for the wise.
Yours sincerely,
Idris Animasaun
Architect | Sports Advocate
