3rd U18/20 CAA Championship Volunteers are the Best – Anyadufu

 By Kanu Samuel

Volunteers at the ongoing 3rd U18/U20 Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Championships in Abeokuta have earned high praise for their exceptional service, commitment, and professionalism.

Chairman of the Volunteers Sub-Committee, Mr. Jude Anyadufu, made the commendation during an interaction with journalists. He described the group of over 254 accredited volunteers — including 24 basket carriers — as the most dedicated team he has ever worked with.

“These are the best volunteers I’ve ever worked with. They are always on duty, prompt, and professional. If given the opportunity, I would gladly work with them again. I sincerely thank them for their dedication,” he stated.

The Secretary of the Sub-Committee, Akinsola Akinbobola, also expressed gratitude for the efforts of the volunteers, acknowledging the trust placed in them by the National Sports Commission.

“On behalf of the committee, I want to thank the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Alhaji Shehu Dikko, for giving us the platform to serve,” he said.

Echoing the commendations, Alhaji Abiodun Onigbede, Chairman of the Location Sub-Committee, described the volunteers as “wonderful,” applauding their excellent performance across various departments including technical, media, medical, transportation, and protocol.

“They are the unsung heroes of this championship,” Onigbede noted. “We’ve received no negative reports from visiting athletes. I’d be glad to recommend these volunteers for future international events.”

Michael Azeez Ogunsiji, Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun State Chapter, also praised the media center volunteers for their exceptional support and coordination.

“Their services have been top-notch and indispensable,” Ogunsiji added.

Several volunteers also shared personal reflections on their experience:

Femi Oluwatosin, who served in Call Room 1, described guiding athletes through the accreditation process as “a wonderful experience.”

Mercy Jayeola, from Kwara State, expressed her joy at being part of an international event.

“This wasn’t just a national event — it was global. I worked closely with athletes from Senegal and it was eye-opening. I’ll gladly volunteer again,” she said.

Nifemi Aregbesola from Ondo State appreciated the exposure the championship provided.“I had the chance to connect with international athletes and interact with media professionals from all over Africa. I’m grateful to the LOC and especially Otunba Akinbobola for this opportunity,” she noted.

Quietly and efficiently, these volunteers worked behind the scenes in areas such as VIP coordination, call rooms, accommodation, media, medical, kitchen, technical, and podium management — playing a crucial role in the success of the championship.