From

Concerned People In OSUN Sport

Your Excellency,

We write to you today with a deep sense of respect, but also with grave concern — as a son of Osun State, as someone who believes passionately in the potential of our people, and, most importantly, as one who cares deeply about the future of sport in our beloved state.

Over the years, Osun State has consistently been among the leading incubators of athletic talent in Nigeria. Our athletes, young and old, across a wide variety of disciplines, have made us proud on regional and national platforms. Sport should be a vehicle of hope, pride, and unity — especially in a state with such a strong sporting heritage.

However, under the stewardship of Prince Kola Adewusi, your Deputy Governor who also serves as the Commissioner for Sports, many observers — including athletes, coaches, fans and supporters and sports council staff — believe that our sports sector is being dragged backwards. It is with a heavy heart that I outline some of these concerns, trusting in your wisdom and commitment to right this ship.

Multiple sources within the Osun State Sports Council have reported that key files and funding requests are left to stagnate on the desk of Prince Adewusi without being forwarded for approval. Coaches and administrators say they often have to borrow money to enable athletes to travel and compete, yet reimbursement is delayed — sometimes for months. These are not isolated anecdotes: according to Osun Defender, the Council is carrying a “mountain of debt.” Such mismanagement, if not addressed, threatens not just individual careers but the very reputation of Osun as a sporting powerhouse.

It is deeply troubling that, while football seems to receive continued attention, other sports are reportedly being marginalized. According to insiders, some sports such as volleyball, hockey, and handball are being neglected, and in some cases, contingent files for national competitions are not even approved. Incredibly, some in the Council allege that priority is given to tennis — perhaps a personal favorite of the Deputy Governor — at the expense of broad-based sports development. This lopsided prioritization undermines the rich diversity of athletic talent in Osun.

Even more concerning is that in several instances, the state has granted approvals for teams to attend national championships and leagues, but without any cash backing to make those approvals meaningful.

The Osun State Basketball Team received approval to attend their Division One League, yet they are currently in Akure competing without a single naira of financial support from the state.

The Osun State Volleyball Team’s situation is even worse. They attended the first phase of their national league in 2024, but could not attend the second phase due to lack of funding. This year, they have not been able to attend the league at all.

The consequences of this neglect have become painfully evident:

The Osun State Basketball Team is currently in Akure for the Division One Basketball League without any financial backing from the state. These athletes are competing under hardship, relying on personal sacrifice instead of institutional support.

The state Handball Team, which protested in Edo a few months ago over unpaid allowances, has still not been settled. This same team is now on the verge of missing out on Phase 2 of the Ardova Premier Handball league in Lagos due to lack of funds — an avoidable embarrassment.

The Osun State Hockey Team, “Osun Queens Hockey Club,” disgracefully missed out on the national league earlier in November, a failure attributed to financial and administrative negligence.

The state contingent that participated in the National Youth Games Zonal Eliminations in Ibadan some months ago have not received their full allowances.

There are still outstanding payments and camping allowances owed to some state officials and athletes respectively, who represented Osun at the National Sports Festival in Ogun earlier this year.
According to reports, Your Excellency approved ₦150 million for the Festival, but it was allegedly cut down by the Deputy Governor, resulting in widespread hardship and unpaid commitments.

These are not mere administrative lapses; they represent a systemic breakdown under the watch of Prince Adewusi — a breakdown with real human consequences for athletes who dedicate their time, strength, and pride to lifting Osun’s name.

Disturbingly, coaches and athletes who have made sacrifices to represent the state are not refunded for their expenses. They are reportedly being asked to source funds on their own, take loans, and sometimes pay out-of-pocket, only for reimbursements to be delayed or denied. This is more than poor management — it is a moral and ethical failing.

On record, Prince Adewusi has insisted that the government is committed to sports development, with initiatives such as the Sports Trust Fund and promises of a centralized Osun State Sports Commission. Yet, while these plans are publicly declared, the day-to-day reality for athletes, coaches, and Sports Ministry staff remains one of neglect, underpayment, and unfulfilled commitments. The gap between vision and reality is widening.

Your Excellency, with all due respect, the circumstances demand that you call Prince Kola Adewusi to account — not in a spirit of political confrontation, but in the service of Osun State’s future.

Governor Adeleke, you are widely known as a sport-loving leader. It is this very disposition that gives hope to many Osun people — that under your administration, sports will not just survive, but flourish. Yet love for sport must be matched with effective governance, accountability, and genuine investment, especially in the less glamorous but equally important disciplines.

Allowing the current trajectory to continue risks not only the morale of our athletes but the very legacy of your administration in the realm of youth development and sports. The young men and women who wear the Osun colours deserve more than hollow promises; they deserve dignity, support, and a system they can trust.

I humbly urge you, as Governor and as a father to our youth, to intervene decisively. Let this open letter not be just another voice in the wind, but a catalyst for meaningful, lasting reform.

Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your love for Osun.

References:

https://osundefender.com/adelekes-deputy-accused-of-sabotaging-sports-in-osun/

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1APP7sGia9/