OGUN STATE SPORTS COUNCIL

Team Ogun Crowned Champions as Historic Five-Day Netball Championship Ends in Abeokuta

By Bola Giwa

The maiden five-day U-20 Netball Championship held at the Handball Court of the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta, came to a thrilling close on Friday as Team Ogun emerged champions, marking another milestone in the rapid growth of Netball across Southwest Nigeria.

The championship, organised to deepen grassroots sports development and expand the reach of Netball in the region, brought together teams from across the Southwest in a display of speed, teamwork, discipline and resilience.

At the end of the competition, Team Ogun claimed the coveted first position, while Team Ondo finished second. Fortune secured third place, with Gateway ending the tournament in fourth.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Acting Director of Sports, Mr. Oluseyi Sonde, commended the sponsor, Engr. Opeyemi Babalola, for his unwavering commitment to grassroots sports development and his determination to establish Netball firmly across the Southwest.

He described the championship as a bold step towards creating fresh opportunities for young athletes.

> “Grassroots development is the foundation of sporting excellence, and sponsors like Engr. Babalola are helping to build that future. I encourage every athlete to embrace sportsmanship, learn from every experience and keep improving. In sports there will always be a winner, but everyone must give their very best,” Sonde said.

Athletes also reflected on the impact of the championship. Sanusi Iyanuoluwa described the competition as an exciting experience despite having only about a week to prepare.

> “The experience was wonderful. We trained for just about a week before the tournament, but stepping onto the court gave us confidence and showed us what is possible.”

Another participant, Biodun Amadike, said the competition strengthened her understanding of teamwork, consistency and perseverance.

> “One lesson I will never forget is our coach’s motto: ‘It’s not over until it’s over.’ Those words kept us motivated throughout the competition.”

One of the organisers, Coach Oluwatoyin Owooka, explained that introducing Netball to Ogun State forms part of a broader vision to spread the game across the Southwest and create long-term opportunities for both athletes and coaches.

The Southwest’s pioneer Netball coach, Amoo Titilayo, expressed satisfaction with the remarkable progress the sport has made across the region, noting that its acceptance continues to grow at an impressive pace.

She appreciated the President of the Nigeria Netball Federation, Mrs. Toyin Aluko, and Southwest representative Engr. Opeyemi Babalola for their dedication to developing the sport.

A member of the Nigeria Netball Association and sponsor of the championship, Engr. Opeyemi Babalola, the CEO of Webber Hoops and Courts Engineering, expressed delight at the quality of performances displayed throughout the U-20 event.

His company, Webber Hoops and Courts Engineering, donated the standard Netball equipment used for the championship, a contribution widely praised for raising the standard of the competition.

Team Ogun and Gateway coach, Coach Tinuke Arowosafe, said her team’s performance brought her immense joy and urged parents to support their children’s sporting aspirations.

> “Allow children to discover the sport they truly love. When passion meets opportunity, excellence naturally follows.”

Also speaking, Instructor Olurebi Olawunmi revealed that bringing Netball to the Ogun State Sports Council aligns with the mission of expanding the game across the Southwest and Nigeria as a whole.

She noted that Ogun State Sports Council became the first institution in the state to be fitted with standard Netball equipment and expressed confidence that the investment would yield lasting results.

> “The response has exceeded our expectations. I believe that within the next five years, Ogun State will produce qualified Netball professionals capable of representing Nigeria on the global stage.”

Award Winners

Individual excellence was also celebrated at the championship.

* Best Centre: Haraphat Sh*ttu

* Best Defender: Ayantola Marvelous

* Highest Goal Scorer: Abushe Silva

* Most Valuable Player (MVP): Otubu Favour

* Best Winger: Obanoyen Bolutife

* Fair Play Award: Team Oyo

The successful conclusion of the championship is being hailed as a significant breakthrough for Netball in Ogun State, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the tournament has laid a strong foundation for the sport’s continued expansion across the Southwest and beyond.

Adewuyi Visits Ogun Sports Council, Charges Management on Revenue Generation

By: Bola Giwa

The newly appointed Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Sports Development, Mr. Adesoji Adewuyi, on Monday paid a courtesy visit to the Ogun State Sports Council, where he was warmly received by the management, staff and athletes of the Council.

The visit provided an opportunity for the Permanent Secretary to familiarise himself with the Council’s facilities, interact with personnel and athletes, and gain first-hand insight into the operations and aspirations of the sports administration.

Mr Adewuyi, who toured various sections of the Council, took time to engage the athletes, offering words of encouragement and fatherly advice. He urged them to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their training, stressing that sporting excellence requires patience, consistency and good character.

While interacting with members of staff, the Permanent Secretary also emphasised the importance of workplace etiquette, discipline and strict adherence to the public service code of conduct.

During a closed-door meeting with the management team, the Acting Director of Sports, Mr. Oluseyi Sonde, delivered the welcome address. The meeting, moderated by the Head of Public Relations, Bola Giwa, alongside her colleagues, provided an avenue for frank discussions on the development and future direction of sports in Ogun State.

In his welcome remarks, the Acting Director of Sports assured the Permanent Secretary of the Council’s commitment to supporting the administration’s vision for sports development.

“Sir, we are not only welcoming a Permanent Secretary today; we are welcoming a new energy and a new direction. Our athletes have the talent, our coaches have the experience, and our staff have the commitment. What we need is the right support and strategy to turn these ingredients into greater sporting success for Ogun State,” Ag, Sonde said.

He added: “We are ready to work with you. Whatever policy or initiative will move Ogun sports forward, you will find the Sports Council ready to run with it.”

Responding, Mr Adewuyi challenged the management to look beyond dependence on government subventions and explore sustainable revenue-generating opportunities that could strengthen the Council while also contributing to the economic development of the state.

“Government will continue to do its part, but the Sports Council must also learn to create opportunities for itself. We cannot always wait for government funding before we act. Let us look around us and ask: what do we have, what can we develop, and how can it generate value?” PS. Adewuyi stated.

He further explained that the Council’s assets, facilities, programmes and sporting activities could be strategically positioned to generate revenue in ways that would benefit both the state government and the Council.

“I want us to stretch our legs beyond the usual. Let us think commercially, but within government regulations. If we can create revenue from what we already have, the state benefits, the Council benefits, our athletes benefit, and ultimately, sports development benefits,” he added.

The Permanent Secretary also encouraged the management and staff to embrace teamwork, professionalism and innovative thinking, noting that the success of any organisation depends largely on the commitment of its workforce.

The Director of Administrative and Supplies, Mr. Ogunfodunrin A. Olalekan, delivered the vote of thanks, appreciating the Permanent Secretary for choosing to begin his engagement with the Council through a personal visit.

The visit ended on a positive note, with management and staff expressing optimism that the new leadership at the Ministry would further strengthen collaboration and usher in fresh opportunities for the growth and development of sports in Ogun State.

Ogun Coaches Meet to Chart New Course for Improved Sporting Performance

The coaching department of the Ogun State Sports Council has held a strategic meeting with coaches across various sporting disciplines, aimed at strengthening professional standards, improving athletes’ development and enhancing the overall performance of Team Ogun.

The meeting was led by the Director of Coaching, Mr Kehinde Ijaola, alongside his Deputy, Coach Adewale Sukanmi, who engaged the coaches on issues relating to effective coaching, discipline, athletes’ welfare and the need for improved coordination within the coaching structure.

The meeting provided an avenue for the coaches to review their responsibilities, identify areas requiring improvement and discuss practical approaches to developing athletes from the grassroots level to elite competition.

Addressing the coaches, Ijaola stressed the importance of professionalism, commitment and continuous learning, noting that the quality of coaching has a direct impact on the performance, character and future of athletes.

He urged coaches to take their responsibilities seriously, maintain proper training records and adopt modern coaching methods while ensuring that every athlete is given appropriate attention according to their age, ability and developmental needs.

The Director further advised the coaches to work as a team, share knowledge and experiences, and avoid unhealthy competition among themselves, stressing that their collective responsibility was to build athletes capable of representing Ogun State and Nigeria successfully at major competitions.

He also emphasised discipline and good communication, encouraging coaches to serve as positive role models to their athletes and to always place the welfare and long-term development of the athletes above personal interests.

The Deputy Director of Coaching, Coach Adewale Sukanmi, also encouraged the coaches to remain dedicated to their duties and embrace teamwork, noting that consistent training, proper monitoring and effective collaboration among coaches would produce better results.

The meeting ended with a renewed call for coaches to be proactive, disciplined and committed to the development of sporting talents in Ogun State, as the coaching department continues to strengthen the foundation for greater achievements in both local and national competitions.

By: Bola Giwa
Public Relations Officer
Ogun State Sports Council