Tension mounted on Tuesday at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure, as sports unions, coaches, and athletes staged a protest against the appointment of Mrs. Evelyn Lebi as Acting General Manager of the Ondo State Sports Council.
The protesters expressed concerns over the future of sports administration in the state, urging the government to reconsider the appointment.
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Addressing journalists, Coach Fisayo Bello, Coordinating Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), said the sports sector 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,” Bello said.
Supporting the protest, Osifo Moses, Vice Chairman of AUPCTRE and a boxing coach, stressed that the council deserved a reputable and committed administrator who would prioritize athletes’ welfare and development.
Similarly, Comrade Joshua Ogunbiyi, Chairman of the Ondo State Professional Coaches Association, clarified that the protest was not directed at Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, whom he described as supportive of sports, but specifically at Lebi’s appointment.
Ogunbiyi cited Lebi’s prior tenure over a decade ago and repeated attempts at the position as reasons stakeholders doubted her ability to revitalize the sector. “We want someone vibrant and competent who can revive sports development in the state,” he said.
Athletes also voiced their concerns. Mr. Idowu Afun, General Captain of Ondo State Athletes, appealed for a leader who would inspire confidence among sports stakeholders.
Responding to the protest, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Henry Omoyofunmi, dismissed the demonstration as unnecessary. He described Lebi as a qualified professional with over 15 years’ experience at the Sports Council, currently serving as Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Omoyofunmi explained that her appointment followed proper civil service procedures after the expiration of the former general manager’s tenure. He expressed confidence that Lebi’s leadership would strengthen rather than hinder sports development in Ondo State.
The standoff highlights ongoing tensions between government decisions and sports stakeholders, as the state navigates leadership changes aimed at reviving its athletic programs.
