OAU Athletes Decry Neglect, Lament Dying Sports Spirit on Campus

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             Subomi Omonijo

The sporting community of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has raised alarm over what it described as the “dying state” of sports on campus, blaming management neglect, lack of support, and poor welfare for the decline.

In an open letter released by the athletes earlier this month, the group expressed frustration at what they termed years of institutional disregard for student-athletes, despite their dedication and contributions to the university’s reputation in various competitions.

READ ALSO: https://theiconsorg.blogspot.com/2025/05/inside-oau-dilapidated-state-of-sports.html

The statement noted that most athletes train under poor conditions, with little or no access to standard facilities or equipment. It also condemned the absence of compensation and the administration’s indifference toward their welfare.

According to one athlete, the university’s support for sports has been “non-existent” since the 2022 Nigeria University Games (NUGA).  “The management only shows up when it’s time for NUGA. After that, it’s back to neglect. Many of us train with broken or no equipment at all,” he said.

Several athletes also lamented the negative impact of their sporting commitments on academics, stating that the system forces them to choose between their passion for sports and academic success. 

 “It has become the duty of a student to choose between sports and failing academically,” one of them said. “We submit release letters before going for competitions, yet we come back to face the same academic penalties those letters were supposed to prevent.”

The team captains under the OAU Sports League echoed these sentiments, accusing the management of dampening their morale through years of inaction. According to him “Sports in OAU has become something we now do for fun among ourselves. The drive to represent the university is almost gone.” 

The athletes further disclosed that their efforts and achievements in bringing recognition to the university are rarely acknowledged. They also alleged that compensation for athletes remains abysmally low, and in many cases, unpaid.  “We train hard, compete, and even win awards that bring fame to the university, yet we are treated like we don’t exist,” another athlete complained.

The sportsmen called on the university management to urgently revive the institution’s sporting culture and address their demands, which include:

1. Adequate compensation for athletes who have represented the school.

2. An upward review of the daily competition allowance from ₦5,000 to ₦15,000 per athlete.

3. Provision of standard kits and equipment to ensure athletes represent the university with dignity.

Despite their appeal via the open letter dated 1st November, 2025, the athletes noted that the school’s response has been unsatisfactory and that their concerns remain largely unaddressed.

Meanwhile, all ICONS reporter's efforts to reach the Director of Sports, Ayotomiwa Ogini (Tommy), for his comments regarding this remain unsuccessful as of press time.


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