By: Oluwaseun Omolola
Osun athletes who made the state proud at the just concluded National Taekwondo Trials in Abuja have dedicated their multiple medals to the governor of the state, Ademola Adeleke.
The Osun Athletes coasts home One Gold Medal, Two Silver Medals and Two Bronze Medals, totalling Five Medals at the event.
The National Taekwondo Trials which serves as preparation for All Africa Games saw Aderibigbe Faridah claiming Gold Medal in the 53kg female category while the duo of Aderibigbe Fatimah and Popoola Amos claimed silver Medals in 67kg female category and 54kg male category respectively.
The medal haul was rounded off by Bronze Medals from Osunkorede Deborah and Mukaila Barakat in the 73kg and 53kg female category.
While reacting after the feat, Aderibigbe Faridah who won Gold in the 53kg Female category said that if not for Governor Adeleke’s timely release of funds, they wouldn’t have participated in the competition.
“Now, I can say it boldly that Osun State is blessed with a governor who loves sports and is ready to develop it. Governor Adeleke has proven time and time again that sports development is paramount to him. Hence, his timely release of funds for athletes to participate in sporting events.
“Since Governor Ademola Adeleke and his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi took over the affairs of the state, we haven’t failed to participate at any competition,” she said.
A Silver Medalist, Popoola Amos said that they are all happy to have performed well at the trials and made the state proud.
“We are happy to have justified the faith governor Adeleke has in us by winning Five Medals in total.
“We therefore dedicate our Medals to the best governor of the federation, Ademola Adeleke for his selfless love for sports development.”
“It is highly important we thank the Deputy Governor who also doubles as the Commissioner for Sports, Prince Kola Adewusi, the SA Sports, Prince Kolawole Adeyemi, the SSA Sports, Culture and Art, Hon. Shefiu Iyiola, the General Manager of Osun State Sports Council, Mr Rotimi Dunmoye and the Director Sports, Coaching and Training, Mr Ademola Daini for their unending support for us,” he said.