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2 weeks ago
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Sports
September 2, 2025 by Tunde Liadi
Ondo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Honourable Omoyofunmi Segun Henry, has assured that athletes representing the state at the ongoing 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, will be rewarded with financial incentives from Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa if they excel at the competition.
Speaking on Team Ondo’s chances, Omoyofunmi praised the squad’s preparations and expressed confidence in their ability to shine at the Games.
“I was double sure we would do well at the National Youth Games even before we got to Asaba because we took part in the elimination series staged in Ibadan and our representatives performed very well. It is one of the reasons they were picked to represent Ondo,” he said.
The Commissioner emphasized that the financial support promised by Governor Aiyedatiwa is designed to motivate athletes to give their best despite the relative youthfulness of the contingent.
“I am very sure they will do well because they have undergone series of trainings and they are ready. Their welfare and morale is high. It was among the reasons I came all the way from Ondo State as the representative of the Governor—to ginger them up knowing that our sports-loving Governor would be ready to welcome them in a special way if they perform well,” he added.
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Omoyofunmi insisted he was not under pressure to deliver, stressing that his mandate is rooted in a clear agenda aimed at using sports as a tool to combat restiveness and inspire young people.
“I am not under pressure to perform. We have our agenda called the Easy Agenda, and as youths, our role is to remove barriers and psyche our generation up for success,” he noted.
He, however, raised concerns over the age categories of some athletes participating in Asaba, pointing out that the National Youth Games is strictly for athletes under 15.
In addition to supporting the current athletes, Omoyofunmi disclosed that Governor Aiyedatiwa has already approved an Under-17 Football Competition across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State. The initiative, he explained, is aimed at discovering and nurturing a new generation of football talents for the state.
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