By Femi Atolagbe

A two-time 100 metres African gold medallist, Seun Ogunkoya, has rated the performance of Ondo State athletes at the just-concluded Niger Delta Sports Festival highly.

The 1996 Olympian added that he was impressed with the state’s contingent’s performance at the event despite their lack of training facilities.

He said: “Despite the challenges of facilities that we are facing in Ondo State, we still finished 5th on the medals table with 10 gold, 18 silver, and 15 bronze medals at the competition.”

He solicited more support from the government and corporate organisations to complement the efforts of coaches.

He stated this in an interview with Sporting Hope at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Akwa Ibom.

Ogunkoya conceded that Ondo State still has a lot to do as they head to the National Sports Festival scheduled to hold next month in Ogun State.

“If we are able to do our homework very well in terms of facilities and equipment, I’m very sure we will get more gold medals at the National Sports Festival.”

He also commended the organisers of the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival for their good work, saying the competition is one of the best-organised events in Nigeria.

He disclosed that the competition has heralded the discovery of many hidden talents, saying several promising athletes were discovered across different sports during the course of the event.

According to him, no offence was committed by any state that came with professional athletes, provided they are still within the 25-year age bracket, which is the actual category required for the event.

“I did my research on the athlete who won the 100 metres race.

” Truly, he is a professional athlete who will go and compete in Europe after this event.

” As a performer, you need to prepare well before your competition, so the athlete came to use this event as a form of preparation.

He would see his timing in this competition, and his coach will start working on it ahead of his next outing.

“So, no offence has been committed,” he said.