Oyo Deaf Sports Stakeholders Empower Deaf Table Tennis Athletes with Tailoring Equipment 

Stakeholders in deaf sports development in Oyo State have reinforced their commitment to athlete welfare and post-sports empowerment with the donation of a tailoring machine to a deaf table tennis athlete, Miss Sulaimon Alaba Sadiat.

The empowerment initiative took place on December 20, 2025, under the auspices of the Oyo State Sports Council, Adamasingba, as part of efforts to encourage self-reliance among athletes with disabilities.

Miss Sulaimon Alaba Sadiat, a registered deaf athlete in table tennis, was nominated for the empowerment programme through the support of Ambassador Oyedeji Olusegun Abayomi, the South-West Representative on the Board of the Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation (NDSF) and Chairman of the Nigeria Deaf Basketball Association (NDBA).

The tailoring machine was officially provided by Hon. Abayomi Fagbenro (Bibire), Chairman of the Oyo State Deaf Sports Association and a leading non-governmental organisation advocate for persons with disabilities in the state.

The initiative is aimed at equipping the beneficiary with a sustainable vocational skill that will enable her to establish a small-scale business, improve her economic independence, and secure a stable livelihood beyond competitive sports.

Speaking on the empowerment, Ambassador Oyedeji Olusegun Abayomi commended Hon. Fagbenro for his continuous support for deaf athletes and persons with disabilities, describing the gesture as timely and impactful.

He noted that empowering athletes with vocational tools not only complements their sporting careers but also prepares them for life after active sports participation.

Amb. Abayomi further offered prayers for Hon. Fagbenro, asking God to grant him continued strength, wisdom, and resources to sustain his humanitarian and advocacy efforts within the deaf community.

The beneficiary, Miss Sulaimon Alaba Sadiat, expressed appreciation for the support, describing the donation as a life-changing opportunity that would help her pursue entrepreneurship alongside her sporting career.

The empowerment programme underscores the growing collaboration between sports administrators, disability advocates, and government institutions in Oyo State to promote inclusion, dignity, and economic empowerment for deaf athletes.