Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Oyo State chapter, has joined other sports loving Nigerians in congratulating Rofiat Afolashade Lawal, the winner of Team Nigeria’s second gold medal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham United Kingdom.
Folashade Lawal, who is an Oyo State weightlifter, on Sunday afternoon won a gold medal in 59kg women category after lifting 206kg comprising 116kg clean and jerk and 90kg snatch.
Lawal also set a new Commonwealth Games record in the class.
In a congratulatory message signed by its State Chairman Niyi Alebiosu and Secretary, Adewale Tijani, Oyo SWAN applauded the exploits of the 26 year weightlifter.
The Association noted that Rofiat Lawal’s feats in Birmingham were not a surprise to those following her exploits in various competitions she had participated.
“Rofiat Lawal’s excellent performance at the ongoing Commonwealth Games is not unexpected, given the fact that she has always been exceptional in all the national and international competitions in which she participated”, the Association noted.
Oyo SWAN recalled that the athlete had earlier won three gold medals in 2019 All African Games in Morocco and similarly won another three gold medals at the National Sports Festival held in Edo state in 2020.
The influential Body of Sports Writers in Oyo State, while showering encomiums on the athlete from the Pacesetter State, also enjoined her to continue to set the pace for other athletes.
“We urge Rofiat Lawal not to relent in exhibiting her sporting prowess but to continue to blaze the trail and be a good role model for other sports men and women in the country”, Oyo SWAN advises Lawal.
Oyo SWAN also congratulated the sports loving State Helmsman, Governor Seyi Makinde and the Honourable Minister of Youths and Sports Chief Sunday Dare for the splendid performance being recorded by athletes from Oyo State, saying this development is the end result of their investments into sports and youths programmes in the state.
Oyo SWAN recalled with pleasure that Governor Makinde recently carried out a turn around of all major stadia in the state, including Lekan Salami stadium in Ibadan and Soun Township Stadium in Ogbomoso while the Sports Minister single handedly constructed a Sports Centre for Youths in Ogbomoso and initiated a national programme ‘Adopt An Athlete’ which ensured that Nigerian athletes are well taken off.
The Association tasked Governor Makinde and Chief Sunday Dare to continue to implement laudable sports programmes that will produce more glorious athletes like Rofiat Lawal and Yakubu Adesokan.
