Ogunkoya Calls For Corporate Sponsors …Hails Garden City Games

Former Nigeria sprints star and Olympic Medalist who is the first female athlete to win an individual medal and a double in the same Olympic games, Chief Falilat Ogunkoya Omotayo ( M.O.N) has called for private sector sponsorship to help move sports forward in Nigeria.

Speaking with Sporting Life during the 17th edition of the National sports festival, the Ogun state born veteran athlete hailed the performance of athletes in the game and said she had discovered some good ones which can be moulded into bigger stars.

“First, I give kudos to Rivers state for building a new stadium for this games to hold. The track is new and the swimming pool is Olympic standard. I think they have done well and we are improving. I just hope that the athletes discovered here should be monitored, because after I represented Ogun state in Kwara 85’ I was monitored and that was how I became a world champion in 1986 and ten years later, I was an Olympic medalist.

“You know this is a developmental grassroots game for us and this is Nigerian Olympics. I believe that we need more private sector sponsorship. We need their support for the sport to move forward, because when we don’t do well it becomes a problem for all of us not only for the athletes, players and officials. But I just hope that all of us should stick together as one and move Nigeria forward and never to forget the grassroots programme”

Furthermore Ogunkoya said she discovered a few athletes in the track and field competition who she believe can make Nigeria proud in the nearest future but she also wants them to be well taken care of so that they will not run from one state to the other all in the name of seeking for greener pasture and better offers.

Ogunkoya also hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for pronouncing money rewards for deserving athletes from states that will come first, second and third in the Garden city games.

She further said that she believes that the talents discovered here would be groomed for the All African games and the 2012 Olympics but that she would want an early preparation by Nigeria so as to do well.