The Co-Founder of Tab-K Foundation, Engineer Abdulgafar Kayode Tijjani has pledged to continue to support sports and youths development through the Foundation, which he said, was introduced to take care of the less privileged and people with Special Needs in the society.
Speaking while presenting the artificial limp he donated to Taiye Oyinloye, who won Kwara’s only gold medal at the 19th National Sports Festival in Abuja last year, at the Conference Room of the Sports Council today, Engr. Abdulgafar also pledged not to limit his support to table tennis alone, but to all sports.
He said that Paralympics athletes are special people with special gifts and talents, as displayed by Oyinloye at the last National Sports Festival, where she won one gold and one silver for Kwara state.
Engr. Abdulgafar, who is also the Managing Director of Shabram Integrated Farms Limited charged other athletes to improve on their efforts, even as he commended Oyinloye for her resilience and endurance.
He thanked his wife, Hajia Folashade Tijjani, who also witnessed the presentation, for showing support for the development of table tennis.
Earlier, the Director of Sports, Mallam Tunde Kazeem has commended Tab-K Foundation for the gesture, even as he called on other well-meaning Kwarans to emulate Engr. Abdulgafar, by investing in sports, to secure the future of the young ones.
He presented a letter of appreciation to Engr. Abdulgafar, for his support to ‘Sports and humanity’.
He also commented the Chairman and members of the Kwara State Table Tennis Association for supporting the development of the athletes, especially Paralympians, whom he said, are always winning medals for the state in all competitions.
Sola Owolabi, the Chairman of Kwara Table Tennis Association thanked Tab-K Foundation for the gesture, which he said, will go a long way in making the athlete more effective and committed.
Owolabi, who also commented the Sport Council and other members of the association, presented a plaque of Honour to Engr. Abdulgafar, on behalf of the association, as a mark of appreciation.
Ajiboye Oluwafemi (PO), who constructed the mechanical device said that the new limp will give the user advantage of long time usage, because it permits repairs and adjustment, as the components can easily be changed.
While highlighting some of the challenges faced by Oyinloye before the gesture from Tab-K Foundation, Ajiboye praised the donor for his support.
In her reaction, Oyinloye, who celebrated her birthday on Sunday described the support as the best birthday gift for her so far, pointing out that the gesture will spur gear to do more for the state, especially at the 20th National Sports Festival in Edo state next year.
