Some female students of the University have made waves at the squash tournament recently organised to mark the 80th Birthday celebration of the nation’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, at the sprawling Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State. The students are: Miss Chinyere Mmaduekobi, who captained the team and also emerged as the Ogun State Second Best Player, a 500-level student in the Department of Crop Protection, College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT); Miss Odunola Oladunmoye, who emerged Third Position, another a 500-level student in the Department of Animal Physiology, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM); Miss Olayinka Yusuf, a 400-level student in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC), who won the Fourth Position, while Miss Ibidunni Mejidade is a 300-level student in the Department of Animal Physiology, COLANIM, who was fifth in the competition.
 
Commenting on the team’s achievement, the University Squash Coach, Mrs. Gladys Ochu, stated that the team had been training for the forthcoming preliminary and finals of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA), holding at the University of Lagos and the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, in March and April, respectively. She noted that members of the team had also been enhancing their performance through regular visits to the Squash Court at Ijeja, Abeokuta to compete with Ogun State players. The coach stressed that the team had been attending the games annually, adding that this year’s event was more outstanding for the team.  According to her, “I am happy that we are really trying our best and my colleagues, who are coaching other games, are trying their best, too. We hope to see the youngsters among the national team very soon”.

Corroborating Mrs. Ochu, the Acting Director of Sports, Dr. Sam Olabanji, congratulated members of the winning team, adding that they should not rest on their oars as they could go further than the achieved feat. He noted that it was a thing of joy when efforts were rewarded. Dr. Olabanji said that there were two events that were played to commemorate the 80th Birthday celebration of Chief Obasanjo, namely: football and squash. He stressed that squash was prominent, due to the fact that it was a game that was loved by the former President, noting that Chief Obasanjo always kept himself fit through squash playing. The Acting Director advised the winners to see themselves as going beyond competing in students sports, adding that they should see themselves as future champions on the international arena. “We would also need to enhance their performance, commitment, endurance and discipline”, he noted. The students were presented with certificates of participation.

Last Updated on March 27, 2017 by admin