Revamping Sports in Ondo State: A Daunting Task For Honourable Omoyofunmi Segun
2 min read
By Sedara Philip
The new Sports Commissioner in Ondo State, Honourable Omoyofunmi Segun, faces a daunting task in revamping the state’s sports infrastructure and restoring the glory of its football clubs.
The state has been plagued by a series of setbacks, including the relegation of its only male football club, Sunshine Stars, from the Nigeria Professional Football League, and the relegation of its female counterpart, Sunshine Queens, from the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) two seasons ago.
Ondo State’s absence from the second-tier Nigeria National League (NNL) and third-tier Nationwide League is a stark reminder of the state’s sports woes.
The state’s poor performance at the last National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, is another indication of the need for urgent reform.
The state’s athletes often seek better opportunities in other states due to poor welfare packages.
Furthermore, the lack of standard stadiums in the state has hindered the growth of sports.
The Akure Sports Complex, which serves as the home stadium for Sunshine Stars and Queens, has been under renovation for over a year, forcing Sunshine Stars to play their home games in Ijebu-Ode.
The Ondo and Odigbo stadiums, initiated and constructed by the Mimiko administration, remain uncompleted, highlighting the need for the new Sports Commissioner to prioritize infrastructure development.
Key Tasks for the New Commissioner
To turn the tide of sports fortune in Ondo State, the new Sports Commissioner must:
- Ensure that the various sports associations in the state are well-founded and functional.
- Foster a good working relationship with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ondo State chapter.
- Work towards returning Sunshine Stars and Queens to the top-flight league.
- Prioritize the development of standard stadiums in each geo-political zone of the state.
- Collaborate with corporate, private organizations, and relevant stakeholders to promote sports development in the state, especially at the grassroots level.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
