Osun Athletes Protest Poor Welfare, Seek Restructuring Of Sport Council

Yusuf Oketola

ATHLETES in the State of Osun, on Tuesday, protested against alleged poor welfare and lack of mo va on by the state government, lamen ng that they were suffering.

The protesters occupied the front gate of Osogbo Township Stadium, blocking some workers in the Sports Council from entering the premises.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, the athletes said, despite winning several internaonal and na onal awards, they have not been receiving mo vaon from the state government, adding that most of them were already exi ng Osun to other states.

The athletes called for the total restructuring of the state sports council.

One of the athletes, a Commonwealth medalist, Islamiyat Yusuf, told the medium that there were no facili es and equipment available for them to train.

Yusuf explained: “I have won medals in a lot of compe - ons at both interna onal and na onal levels. The last one was during the Commonwealth held in Birmingham last year where I won the bronze medal in weightli ing.

“We are here to express our feelings and fight for our rights regarding the award, facili es, equipment and employment level. We, the athletes are suffering here. Majority of us have le for other states.

“As a Commonwealth me- dalist, if you see where I am training, you will pity me. We don’t have enough training facilies there.”

A Paralympic powerli ing athlete, Rasaq Olawale, said the state government of Osun in very poor in apprecia ng and mo va ng the athletes.

According to him, the sports council needed to be restructured, saying they were s ll using the same training kits bought during the old Oyo State.