Tension erupted at the Ondo State Sports Complex on Tuesday as sports unions, coaches, and athletes protested against the appointment of the Acting General Manager of the Ondo State Sports Council, Mrs Evelyn Lebi.
The protesters, including representatives of sports unions, coaches, and athletes, expressed concerns over the future of sports administration in the state and urged the government to reconsider the appointment.
The demonstrators who accused the state government of ignoring calls for a competent, visionary leader to revive sports in the state,
argued that Lebi, who has previously contested the position multiple times and served at the council over a decade ago, lacked the vision and competence needed to revive sports in the state.
Holding placards and chanting slogans, they demanded a reconsideration of Lebi’s appointment, citing her previous attempts to occupy the position and her past tenure at the council as reasons for their rejection.
Addressing journalists, the Coordinating Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Coach Fisayo Bello said the sector needed “a competent technocrat with passion and vision” to restore its past glory.
According to him, sports in Ondo State required “a competent technocrat with passion and vision” to restore its past glory.
“We need someone with passion for sports who can take us back to our glorious days, not backwards. She contested four years ago; we said no then, and we are saying no now.”
“We need someone with passion for sports who can take us back to our glorious days, not backwards. She contested four years ago; we said no then, and we are saying no now.
“She contested four years ago, we said no, and we are saying no now, we want a better person, we want a technocrat that can take us back to our glorious day, not backwards,” Bello said
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of AUPCTRE and a boxing coach, Osifo Moses, said the council deserved a reputable and committed administrator who would prioritise athletes’ welfare and development.
He noted that stakeholders had previously expressed reservations about Lebi’s suitability, adding that the sector needed fresh energy and effective leadership to move forward.
The Chairman of the Ondo State Professional Coaches Association, Comrade Joshua Ogunbiyi, clarified that the protest was not directed at Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, whom he described as supportive of sports, but at the appointment itself.
Ogunbiyi argued that Lebi, who had contested the position multiple times and previously served on the council over a decade ago, was not suitable for the role.
He said, “We want somebody vibrant and competent who can revive sports development in the state.
“The stage at which we are now, sport is not moving forward. We want somebody, a vibrant and competent general manager, this time around. Somebody who will come and revive sports development”
Similarly, the General Captain of Ondo State Athletes, Mr Idowu Afun, appealed to the government to appoint a leader who would inspire confidence among athletes and stakeholders.
Reacting to the protest, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Henry Omoyofunmi, described the demonstration as unnecessary.
He defended Lebi’s appointment, noting her over 15 years of experience at the Sports Council and her current role as Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
He explained that her posting followed due civil service procedures and expressed confidence that the move would strengthen sports development in the state.
