Olapade, Tandor, others, light-up Abeokuta with maiden South West Athletics Conference
The maiden South West Athletics Conference ended on the 5th of July at the Providence hotel in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital.
The two day Athletics Conference which commenced on the 4th of July, attracted some prominent sports personalities from the zone and and beyond which include Prof. Makanju, Prof. Seun Omotayo, Dr. Kweku Tandor, Bukola Olapade, Segun Odegbami, Dr.Oluwasami, Eniefiok Udobong, 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 be 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 within 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’ and advised that such programmes be revived.
Also speaking at the event, the CEO of Nilayo Sports, Olapade, after commending the organisers for their initiative, promised a donation N20m to support the organisers package youth programme after the next edition.
The for Ogun State Sports Commissioner commended 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 organisers 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, Olapade popularly refered to as Ozone, said he will never regret going into Sports Marketing and 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 professions like Lawyer or Doctor outside sports marketing.
