DukeOfOsun

Osun Government Sponsors 18 Coaches for Professional Training at NIS The Osun State Government has sponsored 18 coaches to undertake professional coaching courses at the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Lagos, in a strategic move to strengthen coaching capacity and advance sports development across the state. The beneficiaries, selected from the three senatorial districts of Osun State, comprise male and female coaches drawn from various sporting disciplines, including football, weightlifting, para weightlifting, athletics, boxing and other sports. The initiative also provides an opportunity for former athletes, including former para-sport athletes, to acquire professional coaching knowledge and transition into coaching careers. The programme is fully sponsored by the Osun State Government through the Office of the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi who doubles as the commissioner for sports in the state. Speaking during a send-off ceremony on Wednesday, October 21, as the coaches prepared to depart Osogbo for Lagos in a Sports Council bus, the General Manager of the Osun State Sports Council, Mr. Ademola Daini, charged the beneficiaries to be worthy ambassadors of Osun State throughout their training. He urged them to demonstrate discipline, dedication and professionalism while making the most of the learning opportunity, stressing that the knowledge and skills acquired should ultimately contribute to improving coaching standards and sporting performance in the state. Daini expressed appreciation to the Osun State Government under the leadership of Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke for sponsoring the programme. He also commended Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi for championing the initiative and giving the necessary approval for its implementation. The General Manager further acknowledged the Chairman of the Osun State House of Assembly Committee on Sports, Engr. Abiola Jeremiah Awoyeye, for his consistent support for sports development initiatives. According to Daini, the sponsorship forms part of Governor Adeleke's sports reform agenda, particularly the drive to build a stronger technical workforce capable of identifying, nurturing and preparing athletes for competitive engagements at various levels. He noted that investing in coaches across different sporting disciplines and all three senatorial districts would strengthen the state's sports development structure, improve technical knowledge and create a more sustainable pathway for grassroots talent development. Also present at the send-off ceremony was the Director of Technical of the Osun State Sports Council, Mrs. Adejoke Osho, who joined other officials in wishing the beneficiaries success in their training. Responding on behalf of the coaches, Abdullahi Adegoke, a former Taekwondo athlete of the Osun State Sports Council and one of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the state government for providing the opportunity to advance their professional knowledge and coaching capabilities. Adegoke also appreciated the leadership of the Sports Council for facilitating the initiative, assuring that all the beneficiaries would uphold the image of Osun State and return with valuable knowledge to support the development of their respective sports.

Osogbo Stadium Remodelling Over 40% Complete, Pitch to Meet FIFA Standards – Contractor The contractor handling the remodeling of the Osogbo City Stadium, Maxwell International Ventures Limited has disclosed that the facility is 40 per cent complete. This was just as the company stressed that the playing pitch was being developed to meet the standards of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Speaking during a facility tour with the members of sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Osun State Chapter, the Project Manager, Architect Jacob Oyekale, said the project had recorded significant progress despite funding constraints and interruptions that affected the original completion schedule. According to him, inadequate funding and the suspension of construction activities during the pre-election period prevented the contractor from meeting the initial deadline. “We are well over 40 per cent complete. I cannot give a specific date at the moment, but I believe the project should be completed within the next few months, certainly in less than a year,” he said. Oyekale disclosed that the stadium’s main bowl was being expanded from a seating capacity of 5,000 to 15,000 spectators, with covered stands designed to provide a more comfortable viewing experience. He said the initial plan to use natural grass for the main playing field had been changed to artificial turf following consultations, adding that the imported turf was already available for installation. He noted that the stadium will also feature Olympic-certified running tracks to complement the playing field. Oyekale explained that the need to protect the main playing surface from excessive use informed the decision to construct two additional training pitches behind the stadium. “One will be a natural-grass training pitch with a track, possibly a four-lane track, while the other will have artificial turf. We will also have a certified hockey field,” he said. He added that plans were underway to develop an indoor sports hub capable of accommodating multiple sporting activities, alongside handball, volleyball and basketball courts, subject to the final arrangement of the facilities. He continued that the project included a hostel with a capacity of more than 100 beds, adding that the hostel’s accommodation arrangement would determine the number of occupants, as some rooms could accommodate two people while others could take four. On further improvements to the grandstand, the project manager said a new design was being considered to remove intermediate columns that currently obstruct spectators’ views of the playing field. He explained that the existing structure would be retained for the planned inauguration, while the proposed modifications would be implemented afterwards. The new design, he added, would include VIP booths for spectators seeking private and more comfortable viewing spaces. Each booth is expected to accommodate eight people and have its own convenience facilities, offering an additional premium experience for spectators. Oyekale said the long-term ambition was to transform Osun State into one of Nigeria’s leading sports destinations by providing facilities capable of hosting national and international competitions. He identified hosting the National Sports Festival as one of the immediate ambitions, noting that the state could subsequently position itself to bid for international sporting events. He said the remodelling of the Osogbo facility was expected to support the development of sports professionals, including athletes and coaches, while creating economic opportunities for residents. According to him, major sporting events could attract large numbers of visitors to Osogbo, creating business opportunities for hotels, food vendors, tourism operators and other service providers.