Chairman, Ogun State Deaf Athletics Association, Chief Gbenga Abijo, on Monday appreciated the State’s Deaf athletes for their impressive performance at the just concluded 20th National Sports Festival held in Benin City, Edo State.
The Deaf athletes at the biennial sports fiesta in Edo won two silver and three bronze medals which added up to the 78 medal haul won by Team Ogun at the festival.
Presenting the monetary reward to the athletes on behalf of Mr. Abijo was Patron of the Association, Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye who lauded efforts of the chairman in motivating the athletes with the token, and as acknowledgement for their contribution to Team Ogun’s total medals haul at the sports festival.
The event, which held at Alake Sports Council, Ijeja, Abeokuta was attended by the Director of Sports, (Ogun State Sports Council) Mrs. Folakemi Iyabo Rotimi, Chief Falilat Ogunkoya and other top management staff of the council.
In his words, Oladunjoye who is also the Chairman, OGTV Board, promised that he would personally host all the athletes soon, adding that he had submitted a report of Team Ogun at the festival to the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
He remarked that the Governor was well pleased with the State’s contingent to the festival, and at how they were able to comport and compete well throughout the games in Benin City.
Similarly, he was very happy at the number of medals won by the athletes. When briefed on how athletes of Ogun State origin, competing for other States also won gold medals, even at the expense of Ogun athletes, the Governor responded with optimism.
Oladunjoye, however disclosed that the State Governor has promised to do something drastic to ensure that all Ogun athletes who competed for other States are brought back.
The Patron seized the opportunity to urge the athletes and others to continually lift the spirit of sportsmanship for which Ogun State is well-known, while stepping up the gold winning mentality.
Oladunjoye, meanwhile supported the deaf athletes with an appreciable cash token to augment travel allowances back to their various homes.
The director of sports, Mrs Iyabo, (fondly called Aunty) in her speech thanked Governor Abiodun for the leverage given to the State contingent to exhibit at the just concluded sports festival, noting that his support was immeasurable to the team.
Also, she appreciated Hon. Oladunjoye for his presence and immense support to Team Ogun all through the festival.
In the same vein, she thanked Chief Gbenga Abijo, chairman, Deaf Athletics Association for deeming it fit to reward deaf athletes with the token. This, she believed, would spur others to do more in subsequent competitions.