Under the visionary leadership of Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, Osun State has experienced a remarkable transformation in the area of sports development. With a deep commitment to youth empowerment, infrastructure renewal, and athlete welfare, the Adeleke administration — through the tireless efforts of the Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi, who also doubles as the Commissioner for Sports — has ushered in a new era of excellence in Osun’s sporting landscape.
A central figure in this revitalization journey is Mr. Rotimi Dumoye, the recently retired General Manager of the Osun State Sports Council, whose administrative leadership laid the groundwork for many of the gains now being celebrated.
Unprecedented Achievements Across All Fronts
Impressive Outing at National Sports Festivals
Team Osun recorded its best performance in recent history at the 22nd National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, clinching:
13 Gold
4 Silver
11 Bronze
A total of 28 medals, placing Osun State in 9th position on the national medal table — a clear testament to the state’s sporting resurgence.
Key individual performers include:
Edim Emmanuel & Islamiyat Yusuf – 6 Gold in Weightlifting
Osunkorede Deborah, Aderibigbe Fatima, Awoniyi Mubarak – Gold in Taekwondo
Muftau Rasaq & Anifat Ganiyu – Gold in Para Powerlifting
Olapade Sunday – Gold in Golf
Akinjisola Sarah – Gold in Chess
Fred Imuse – Silver in Kickboxing
And many more in Wrestling, Judo, Para Athletics, and Scrabble.
In addition, Osun athletes have been receiving national recognition, with three of them (Muftau Rasaq, Ganiyu Anifat, and Opeyemi Adefila) recently invited to the National Para Powerlifting Camp in preparation for global championships.
Team Successes
Osun United Football Club has advanced to the NNL Super 8, just one step away from qualifying for the prestigious Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). Unfortunately they missed out narrowly.
Osun United Handball Club earned promotion to the Ardova Premier Handball League, the highest Handball League in Nigeria, coming second behind COAS Handball Team of the Nigerian Army, showcasing the depth of talent being nurtured. The team is currently doing well at the ongoing Ardova Premier Handball League in Benin City, Edo State.
Raji Naila Opeyemi won Gold at the French International Taekwondo Championship, and Mubarak Awoniyi secured Silver at the Korean Ambassador’s International Taekwondo Championship, further projecting Osun on the global stage.
Infrastructure and Welfare Development
The Adeleke-led government has not only focused on athlete performance but also created a sustainable and enabling environment through:
Remodelling of Osogbo Township Stadium into a modern sports complex.
Construction of standard hostel facilities for both Osun United and Osun Babes football teams, ensuring proper accommodation for athletes.
Procurement of buses to ease team transportation across various competitions.
Payment of competitive salaries to athletes, coaches, and sports council staff — a long-overdue gesture of value and motivation.
Institutional Reforms & Athlete Recognition
A major milestone was the passage of the bill transforming the Osun State Sports Council into the Osun State Sports Commission — a move that promises better structure, autonomy, and funding for sports development.
Athletes who made the state proud in the past have been honored with awards and monetary gifts — including stars of the National Sports Festival, National Youth Games, and National Para Sports events. Promises have also been made to reward athletes who did well at the recently concluded National Sports Festival in Ogun State.
Pathway to International Glory
Osun is no longer a passive participant in sports development — it’s becoming a launchpad for global representation. Currently:
Three Osun athletes have been invited to represent Nigeria in Chile, Egypt, and other nations for Olympic qualifying events.
The success at the National Judo Championship in Benin and the Para-Powerlifting Trials in Abuja further show that Osun athletes are primed for international success.
Tribute to a Trailblazer
The strides made in sports wouldn’t have been possible without the institutional groundwork laid by Mr. Rotimi Dumoye, whose retirement marks the end of a dedicated career in sports administration. His coordination and administrative insight, especially during transitional periods, were instrumental in Osun’s recent sporting resurgence.
Conclusion: A Golden Era for Osun Sports
The Adeleke administration’s comprehensive and people-focused approach to sports — from infrastructure to welfare, grassroots development to elite athlete support, and local leagues to global championships — has undeniably transformed Osun State into a national sporting powerhouse.
As Osun continues to build on this momentum, the future is bright for young talents, seasoned professionals, and the entire sporting ecosystem under the watchful eye of Governor Ademola Adeleke, Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, and Mr. Ademola Ebenezer Daini, the new General Manager of the Osun State Sports Council.
Under the visionary leadership of Mr. Ademola Daini who was recently appointed by the Governor, the future of sports in Osun looks brighter than ever.
Signed:
Mrs Funmilayo Moradeyo
Chief Public Relations Officer – Osun State Sports Council
