The maiden South West Athletics Conference has ended in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Held from 4-5 July, 2024 at the Providence hotel. Abeokuta, the two day Athletics Conference attracted some prominent sports personalities.
They include Prof. Makanju, Prof.Seun Omotayo, Dr. Kweku Tandor, Chief Bukola Olapade, Chief Segun Odegbami, Dr.Oluwasami, Mr. Eniefiok Udobong. Madam Emilia Edet and Mrs. Emen Ikhaobomen among others.
With Developing Template for Upscaling Athletics in the South West zone as it’s main goal, the programme was indeed taught provoking and succeeded in galvanizing participants interest in South West Athletics development.
During the interactive session, Pro. Omotayo highlighted the importance of the South West as Athletics pacesetter in the country, hence all the states with the South West zone must wake up to their responsibilities.
Towing Prof. Omotayo’s part, Dr Tandor numerated the importance of some key programmes that almost gave athletics a household name in the past, like the ‘Dawn Game’ which was organized by the Lagos State Government, and advised that such programmes be revived.
Speaking at the event, Chief Olapade, the CEO of Nilayo Sports. after commending the organizers for their initiative, promised to put down N20m to support the organizers package youth programme after the next edition.
He praise the likes of Eniefiok Udobong, Falilat Ogunkoya, Prof. Omotayo, Prof Makanju, Dr. Tandor for what they have been contributing to Nigeria Sports development and pleaded that Conference
should not be a one-off thing.
He reminded the organizers about future challenges they will face
in the course of doing the right thing, but advised them never to be discouraged.
Olapade also touched on the importance of Sports Marketing which is actually his area.
Despite being a lawyer, Chief Olapade popularly refered to as Ozone, said he will never regret going into Sports Marketing.
And that he will remain in the profession until he clocks 90 years.
Even at that, he also revealed that his daughter has equally told him to forget thinking that she will go into other other professions like lawyer or doctor outside sports marketing.