The newly appointed General Manager of the Oyo State Sports Council, Mrs. Olubisi Jejelola Adegoke, has pledged to strengthen sports development in the state through professionalism, teamwork, talent discovery, and innovation.
Mrs. Adegoke made the commitment during an interactive meeting with directors, sports officers, coaches, and other members of staff at the Coaching Hall of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
Addressing the gathering, the General Manager expressed gratitude to God for guiding her career journey and enabling her appointment to lead the Council. She commended the dedication and hard work of coaches, sports officers, and athletes, noting that their contributions have continued to enhance the reputation of Oyo State in sports.
She emphasized that her administration is focused on taking the Oyo State Sports Council to greater heights through improved performance, excellence, and collective commitment.
Mrs. Adegoke urged staff members to maintain high standards of professionalism, integrity, and dedication in the discharge of their responsibilities. She also acknowledged the significant role played by coaches, sports officers, and athletes in advancing sports development across the state.
Highlighting the importance of collaboration, she called on all stakeholders within the Council to embrace unity, teamwork, and a shared sense of responsibility. According to her, sustained success can only be achieved when everyone works together toward common goals.
The General Manager assured staff members of an open-door policy and encouraged them to freely share ideas and concerns that could contribute to the growth and development of sports in Oyo State.
She further charged athletes, coaches, and sports officers to uphold the spirit of the state’s popular slogan, “Ajisebi Oyo Lari, Oyo Kii Se Egbe Baba Enikankan,” while continuing to project the positive image of Oyo State at local, national, and international sporting events.
Mrs. Adegoke also emphasized the need for coaches to intensify efforts in discovering and nurturing young talents through the “Catch Them Young” initiative, describing grassroots talent development as critical to sustaining sporting excellence. She encouraged sports officers to actively promote their various sports and pursue sponsorship opportunities to support development programmes.
In addition, she urged coaches to continually improve their knowledge and skills by embracing modern technology and contemporary coaching methods, stressing that continuous learning remains essential in today’s evolving sporting environment.
Describing sports as a noble and respected profession, Mrs. Adegoke noted that its rewards extend beyond the workplace and earn recognition across the world.
Earlier, directors, sports officers, coaches, and other staff members introduced themselves and formally welcomed the new General Manager to the Council. They also appealed for regular visits to the various sports departments to foster closer engagement and address operational challenges.
Responding, Mrs. Adegoke assured them that she would undertake regular departmental visits to maintain close interaction with staff and gain a better understanding of their needs and challenges.
The meeting marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Oyo State Sports Council, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the new leadership will further advance sports development and achievements in the state.
