Tobi/Abiola Grassroots Sports Development Foundation, the brainchild of hurdler Tobi Amusan and Abiola Onakoya a quarter-miler will on February 24, 2022, hold its first official meet.
The Tobi/Abiola Athletics Meet is for Secondary Schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State while there will also be some open races for all other athletes
Amusan and Onakoya both based in the United State have represented Nigeria at continental and global championships winning laurels for the country.
They are now determined to give back to their community.
Onakoya who finished from Ijebu-Ode Grammar School said athletics gave him the platform to school at the University of Texas, El-Paso and wants to give the opportunity to children from his community,
He said: “I discussed with Tobi Amusan that some people gave us the platform to get to the next level and that the only way we could help youths in our community is to give them the platform to showcase their talents. That informed our decision to set up Tobi/Abiola Grassroots Sports Development Foundation. Our first outing is the Tobi/Abiola Athletics Meet slated for February 24.
“The meet will start with a clinic in the morning for Secondary School students before athletes compete for medals and prizes in 100m, 400m, 800m, and long jump events but relays in 4x100m and 4x400m is strictly for secondary school students’’.
Amusan who finished from Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Ijebu-Ode and graduated from the University of Texas, El-Paso said the 2022 edition is strictly for students from Ijebu-Ode Local Government but she assured that in the nearest future it all be an event that students from all secondary schools in the Ogun State will be eligible to participate.
The February 2022 meeting has the blessing of Permanent Secretary and School Sports Coordinator Okeleye Olarotimi and Permanent Secretary Ogun State Ministry of Youths and Sports Abiodun Abimbola.
Onakoya and Amusan thanked the duo for their cooperation and support for the programme.
