NYG : Governor Oyebanji, the fortress behind Team Ekiti’ historic performance in Asaba – Dr. Osetoba

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Asaba

The Technical Adviser on Sports Development to the Governor of Ekiti State , Dr. Olusola Osetoba, says His Excellency, Governor Oyebanji, is the fortress and foundation behind the history-making outing of ‘Team Ekiti’ at the ongoing 9th National Youth Games holding in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

Dr. Osetoba stated this in an interview made this statement in an exclusive interview with Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, following Team Ekiti’s stunning victory in the basketball event at the games.

She explained that the transformation which has taken place in the state helped the team to prepare fully for the Games.

According to her, new facilities put in place, helped the state to select young athletes to represent Ekiti through secondary school games held at the new sports facilities built by the sports-loving Governor.

“All our athletes are under 15, they are not above the age mark, their look alone speaks volumes of their young age, we did not buy athletes to compete for us. Other states might purchase players, or field overaged athletes, but ours was homegrown,” she expressed.

Among these new sporting facilities was an ultramodern basketball court which spurred the state’s basketball team to secure a historic gold medal in the slam and dunk game at the Games.

“Since the emergence of his Excellency, he constructed a basketball court for the state, since then we have been training and practicing. This is the reason we won gold. Prior to this time, we were using an old court , so the difference is clear now, I am sure that His Excellency will be thrilled to hear that we won the basketball event, because he is an ardent lover of basketball.

“I’m very elated, I’m overwhelmed with joy, this is the first time, we have won the basketball event,” she explained.

She emphasized that this not the only the fringes of the record-breaking and history-making performances the State Team will produce in the next edition.

“We will not relent, we will continue to train these children, we are doing a developmental program in Ekiti, we will compete in the next edition with a stronger team, we will fly our flag high in Lagos, these young athletes, around the ages of 9 to 11 will have become stronger by then,” she stated.

The Technical Adviser , had some delightful words for the Ekiti state Governor, calling on other states of the federation to emulate his example.

“I want to thank the Governor for his unwavering and undeniable support towards sports, financially and morally, he has been a father to sports, he’s a sports loving governor, persons like him are very rare, he has transformed every facet of sports in the state.”

Under the stewardship of His Excellency Governor Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, Ekiti State has been blessed with these new facilities; brand new Coaster busses, new hostels for our football clubs, renovation of Oluyomi Kayode Stadium, construction of admin blocks and a new multi-purpose sports hall.