Osun Government Sponsors 18 Coaches for Professional Training at NIS The Osun State Government has sponsored 18 coaches to undertake professional coaching courses at the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Lagos, in a strategic move to strengthen coaching capacity and advance sports development across the state. The beneficiaries, selected from the three senatorial districts of Osun State, comprise male and female coaches drawn from various sporting disciplines, including football, weightlifting, para weightlifting, athletics, boxing and other sports. The initiative also provides an opportunity for former athletes, including former para-sport athletes, to acquire professional coaching knowledge and transition into coaching careers. The programme is fully sponsored by the Osun State Government through the Office of the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi who doubles as the commissioner for sports in the state. Speaking during a send-off ceremony on Wednesday, October 21, as the coaches prepared to depart Osogbo for Lagos in a Sports Council bus, the General Manager of the Osun State Sports Council, Mr. Ademola Daini, charged the beneficiaries to be worthy ambassadors of Osun State throughout their training. He urged them to demonstrate discipline, dedication and professionalism while making the most of the learning opportunity, stressing that the knowledge and skills acquired should ultimately contribute to improving coaching standards and sporting performance in the state. Daini expressed appreciation to the Osun State Government under the leadership of Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke for sponsoring the programme. He also commended Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi for championing the initiative and giving the necessary approval for its implementation. The General Manager further acknowledged the Chairman of the Osun State House of Assembly Committee on Sports, Engr. Abiola Jeremiah Awoyeye, for his consistent support for sports development initiatives. According to Daini, the sponsorship forms part of Governor Adeleke's sports reform agenda, particularly the drive to build a stronger technical workforce capable of identifying, nurturing and preparing athletes for competitive engagements at various levels. He noted that investing in coaches across different sporting disciplines and all three senatorial districts would strengthen the state's sports development structure, improve technical knowledge and create a more sustainable pathway for grassroots talent development. Also present at the send-off ceremony was the Director of Technical of the Osun State Sports Council, Mrs. Adejoke Osho, who joined other officials in wishing the beneficiaries success in their training. Responding on behalf of the coaches, Abdullahi Adegoke, a former Taekwondo athlete of the Osun State Sports Council and one of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the state government for providing the opportunity to advance their professional knowledge and coaching capabilities. Adegoke also appreciated the leadership of the Sports Council for facilitating the initiative, assuring that all the beneficiaries would uphold the image of Osun State and return with valuable knowledge to support the development of their respective sports.