By David Abiola

The current best female canoeist in Nigeria, Ayomide Bello will today, Sunday, 19th May, 2019 begin her quest in Budapest, Hungary in the International Canoeing Federation Championship.

The skilled canoeist, who was, on the 8th of May, 2019 honoured by the Governor, State of Osun, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola for being a good ambassador of the state will also join her colleagues from the rest of the world in Germany, and Hungary, for the International Canoeing World Cup.

The two international events are part of the last round of qualifiers for the 2020 Olympics holding in Tokyo, Japan.

Ayomide, who emerged overall best canoeist in last year’s National Sports Festival in Abuja has since participated in series of international rowing, canoeing and kayaking events and she clinched a gold medal at C2 200m as well as bronze medal at C2 500m at the 2019 Open International Canoe Championship in Bhopal, India on the 24th March, 2019.

Speaking on the development, the Director of Coaching and Training at the Osun State Sports Council, Mr. Ademola Daini lauded Governor Oyetola who is always there for the council in the provision of required support for Osun athletes to take part in international competitions.

“Ayomide came into limelight through the platform of the State Government as a result of regular participation in National Sports Festival and the National Youth Games. Since then, she has been waxing stronger at the global level which makes Osun to be a force to reckon with in rowing and canoeing.”

“It is the full backing of Governor Oyetola and the immediate past Commissioner for Sports, Social Protection and Special Needs, Comrade Biyi Odunlade that has kept her above her colleagues”.

The young talented-athlete, Ayomide while reacting to the development promised not to disappoint the state government and the entire Osun people in both Hungary and Germany and to come back from the events with the maximum points required to participate at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

She is expected back in Nigeria on the 3rd of June, 2019.

Source: https://www.osun.life/2019/05/19/osun-canoeist-ayomide-off-to-hungary-germany-for-olympics-qualifier/