Obideyi Reaffirms Commitment to Women in Sports as Six Foundation-Sponsored Coaches Graduate from NIS
Oyo State Pillar of Sports and Founder of the Pillar of Sports Youth Development Foundation, Temitope Ademola Obideyi, has expressed joy and fulfilment following the successful completion of professional coaching training by six women he sponsored at the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Lagos.
The six beneficiaries, who were trained in different sporting disciplines, completed the programme as part of Obideyi’s continuing commitment to strengthening human capacity in sports and creating more opportunities for women to build professional careers in coaching.
The newly trained coaches are Anthony Esther Ngozi (Football), Sobulo Omolara Mondinat (Football), Yusuf Adejoke Basirat (Handball), Adenaike Odunayo Ayomide (Football), Shittu Medinat Aderonke (Kung Fu), and Amos Titilayo Tope (Basketball).
Speaking on their achievement, Obideyi said his decision to sponsor the women was motivated by his desire to increase female participation in sports development and provide aspiring women coaches with the professional knowledge and qualifications needed to succeed.
He described their graduation as a proud and fulfilling moment, noting that investing in coaches and other sports professionals is as important as supporting athletes.
“Today, seeing them graduate gives me great joy and a sense of fulfilment,” Obideyi said.
He congratulated the six coaches and expressed confidence that the knowledge and skills acquired during their training would help advance their individual careers while also contributing to the development of younger athletes in their respective sports.
Obideyi urged the graduates to see their qualifications as the beginning of a greater professional responsibility rather than the end of their journey.
“I am super proud of you all. The work continues. The vision continues. Together, we will keep developing sports and empowering our youth,” he added.
The development further reflects the growing emphasis of the Pillar of Sports Youth Development Foundation on capacity building, youth empowerment and the development of sports professionals across Oyo State.
The foundation, which was formally launched in Ibadan in August, has already supported initiatives aimed at improving coaching standards and strengthening grassroots sports development.
More than 150 football coaches participated in a sports development seminar organised during the foundation’s launch, underlining Obideyi’s broader focus on investing in the people responsible for discovering, training and mentoring young talents.
For Obideyi, the graduation represents more than the presentation of certificates. It is part of a wider vision to build a sustainable sports ecosystem by expanding access to education, professional training, mentorship and opportunities—particularly for young people and women seeking careers in sports.
The six newly trained coaches are now expected to deploy their knowledge and experience in football, handball, kung fu and basketball, while serving as potential role models for other young women interested in pursuing careers in coaching and sports development.
Obideyi reaffirmed his commitment to supporting programmes that empower aspiring athletes, coaches and young people, stressing that the long-term growth of sports depends on deliberate investment in both talent and the professionals who guide that talent.
