Ondo Sports Council unveils plan to restore lost sporting pride
The newly appointed Chairman of the Ondo State Sports Council, Mr. Oladimeji Abimbola, has expressed his readiness to urgently restructure the council and revive the state’s lost glory in sports development.
Abimbola disclosed this in Akure, the state capital, following his appointment by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. The appointment ends a decade-long vacuum during which the sports council functioned without a substantive board chairman.
Addressing stakeholders, Abimbola emphasized that his immediate focus would be on structural reorganization, grassroots talent hunting, and infrastructural rehabilitation across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
Focus on Grassroots and Infrastructure
According to the council chairman, Ondo State was once renowned as a powerhouse for producing top-tier athletes across various sporting disciplines, including athletics, boxing, table tennis, and football. However, years of administrative neglect and inadequate facility maintenance led to a decline in performance and elite talent discovery.
“Our goal is clear: to restore the pride, competitiveness, and sporting excellence that Ondo State was known for,” Abimbola stated. “We are going to focus aggressively on grassroots sports development by reintroducing active school sports competitions, local talent scouting, and providing a sustainable pathway for young talents to thrive.”
He commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for recognizing the importance of sports in youth empowerment and social development, noting that the appointment of a full board demonstrates the administration’s commitment to transforming the sector.
Key Pillars of the Blueprint
The council’s strategic plan centers on several key areas:
- Administrative Restructuring: Overhauling operational frameworks within the council to improve accountability, athlete management, and coaching efficiency.
- Grassroots Talent Discovery: Partnering with schools, local sports associations, and community leaders across all 18 LGAs to scout and nurture emerging talent.
- Facility Upgrades: Supporting ongoing state infrastructure projects—such as the world-standard stadium development near Shagari Village in Akure—while improving existing training grounds for non-football sports.
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Engaging corporate bodies, private investors, and sports philanthropists to supplement government funding and sponsor local tournaments.
- Athlete Welfare: Enhancing welfare packages, training equipment, and incentives for coaches and athletes to boost morale and curb talent flight to other states.
Board Leadership
The newly inaugurated board of the Ondo State Sports Council comprises:
- Oladimeji Abimbola – Chairman
- Babatunde Martins Boriwa – Member
- Ibiloye Matthew Abiodun – Member
- Mrs. Evelyn Lebi – General Manager
The council leadership urged athletes, sports administrators, and private organizations across the state to collaborate with the board in rebuilding Ondo State’s sports architecture and positioning it as a top contender in national and international competitions.
Explore more Business stories and analysis from Business Elites Africa.
