BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
Athletes in Osun State have protested against alleged poor welfare and lack of motivation by the state government, lamenting that they are suffering.
The demonstrators stormed Osogbo Township Stadium on Tuesday and shut its gates.
Some workers in the Sports Council were stranded at the gate as the protesters refused them entry into the premises.
Despite winning several international and national awards, the athletes claimed that they have not received motivation from the stage government and that most of them were already exiting Osun to other states.
Speaking during the protest, one of the athletes, a Commonwealth medalist, Islamiyat Yusuf, said there was no facilities and equipment available for them to train.
Yusuf explained that, “I have won medals in a lot of competitions at both International and national levels. The last one was during the Commonwealth held in Birmingham last year where I won the bronze medal in weightlifting.
“We are here to express our feelings and fight for our rights regarding the award, facilities, equipment and employment level. We, the athletes are suffering here. Majority of us have left for other states. We the ones that remain in the state are fighting for our rights.
“As a Commonwealth medalist, if you see where I am training, we don’t have enough training facilities there,” she added.
Echoing similar views, a Parapower lifting athlete, Rasaq Olawale said other states motivate their athletes but the opposite is their lots in Osun.
Olawale noted that, “The last time those of us representing Osun State got an award was in 2012 and it doesn’t give us motivation. Other states are not like that. For example, in Ogun State, whenever they (athletes) come back from any competition, the state government will award the athletes as a sign of encouragement.
“Most of us here, especially, persons with disabilities do not have any other thing we are doing except sport, but, unfortunately, those begging for alms In the street are almost better than us. Since 2012 when former governor Rauf Aregbesola gave us an award, we haven’t received any other award.
“Nobody recognised us for all the championships we have participated in. We are just working without any encouragement. We want restructuring in our sports council. The kits we are using to train are the ones we have been using since the old Oyo State.
“Our lives as athletes are not safe because the stadium we used in training welcomes everybody and there is no proper security for us.
“We don’t have good facilities and enough equipment. Sometimes, we sponsored ourselves to competitions. We want positive and total restructuring,” the athlete demanded.
Efforts to get reaction of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports, Mrs. Taiwo Oladunjoye were not fruitful as she was not picking her telephone calls.
