The newly appointed Chairman of the Ondo State Sports Council, Hon. Oladimeji Abimbola, has pledged to reposition and restructure the council and restore sports in the state to its former glory.
Abimbola made the pledge on his official resumption of duty as chairman, alongside board members Baba Tunde Martins and Ibitoye Matthew Abiodun.
He said the restructuring of the council would provide a clear direction and enable the new board to identify the factors responsible for the decline in the state’s sporting fortunes over the years.
According to him, there is no time to waste, as the board would immediately commence work towards achieving its mandate.
“We have to roll up our sleeves and swing into action immediately because the council needs our quick response. Our days have started counting.”
Abimbola, while appreciating Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for appointing him to lead the council, promised to align his administration with the state government’s "Our EASE"Agenda.
He listed the welfare of athletes, coaches and other officials, rehabilitation of sports facilities, and strengthening of grassroots sports development among his priorities.
He said the council’s area offices, which serve as a link to the grassroots, would be revitalised through the deployment of competent coaches and other personnel.
He, however, appealed to all staff of the council, irrespective of their cadre, to cooperate with the new board, stressing that transforming sports in the state was a collective responsibility.
“We are going to collaborate with all the relevant stakeholders to achieve the set goal.
The task ahead is not about me and other board members, but all the sports-loving people of the state.”
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Amidu Takuro, in his goodwill message, assured the new chairman of the government’s support in transforming the Sports Council.
Takuro expressed confidence in Abimbola’s experience and ability to reposition sports in the state.
“I have no doubt in my mind that with Hon. Oladimeji Abimbola and his team, with the cooperation of the staff, our sports will be great again.”
He said Governor Aiyedatiwa’s decision to appoint a grassroots sports expert was in line with the administration’s vision of putting smiles on the faces of Ondo State residents.
Also speaking, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of OSRC Media Group, Mr Kenneth Stevenson - Odusola, disclosed that Abimbola had recently undergone sports management training in Germany in preparation for the assignment.
Odusola-Stevenson said the state’s sports sector had experienced both successes and setbacks over the years, expressing optimism that the new chairman and his team would deploy their wealth of experience to improve its fortunes.
He urged Abimbola to remain consistent and innovative in the discharge of his duties.
The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Hon. Taiwo Adegoroye, also expressed optimism that Abimbola’s appointment would herald a new dawn for sports development in the state.
Similarly, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Comrade Ademola Odudu, appealed to Sports Council staff to give the new chairman maximum support to enable him to succeed.
The Chairman of the Ondo State Football Association, Otunba Dele Ajayi, advised Abimbola to avoid acting on impulse, urging him to carefully process available information before taking decisions.
Earlier, the General Manager of the Ondo State Sports Council, Mrs Evelyn Lebi, described Abimbola’s appointment as “a round peg in a round hole”.
Lebi assured the new chairman of the cooperation and support of the council’s staff, expressing confidence that his experience and commitment would help reposition Ondo State as a leading force in sports development.
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