Sports journalist Yomi Omogbeja honoured among Ondo’s 50 icons
Sports Writers Association of Nigeria’s Ondo chapter has honoured veteran journalist Yomi Omogbeja among 50 sports personalities, administrators, media organisations and institutions. Omogbeja called the award a surprise and a homecoming, recalling his father’s service on the Ondo State Sports Council in the 1980s.
Veteran sports journalist Yomi Omogbeja has described his recognition at the Ondo 50 Sports Icons Award as a surprise and a homecoming. Omogbeja, editor-in-chief of Athletics Africa, was among 50 sports personalities, administrators, media organisations and institutions honoured by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria’s Ondo State chapter. The ceremony in Akure formed part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of Ondo State’s creation.
In a statement to Premium Times, Omogbeja said he was pleased to have been remembered despite living far from his home state. He said the award was especially meaningful because his father had served as an executive member of the Ondo State Sports Council in the 1980s. The journalist, who is from Idogun in Ose Local Government Area, said being honoured alongside former Ondo Governor Olusegun Mimiko and former Nigeria Professional Football League chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye made the occasion significant.
Omogbeja has more than 30 years of experience in sports journalism. His career has included work in traditional and digital media, and coverage of FIFA and Confederation of African Football competitions, World Athletics championships and Olympic Games since 1999. Athletics Africa, the track and field news platform he edits, was launched in July 2004.
He has also worked with The News/Tempo, Punch Newspapers, National Interest Newspapers and Africa Oil+Gas Report, and was among the planning and online editors of 234NEXT.com. His professional work has extended beyond reporting. He has collaborated with media organisations, sports federations and government ministries in Nigeria, Ghana and Zimbabwe on digital transformation, communications and new-media projects.
The report also lists several academic qualifications and previous awards, including a 2011 journalism innovation award and his induction as a Fellow of SWAN in 2025. Omogbeja said the Ondo honour represented a major personal moment and a connection to his family’s sporting history.
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