Aderonke Adesola, popularly known as Olori Sport, has boldly claimed her place in the history of African sports broadcasting as the first female Yoruba commentator on the continent. Her unique voice and confident style have not only broken barriers but also reshaped the landscape of indigenous language sports commentary in Africa.
In an exclusive interview with Ibadancity Announcer, Adesola detailed her rise from a teenage broadcaster to a trailblazer in a male-dominated field. “I am the first female Yoruba commentator in Africa, I can say that anywhere,” she stated with conviction.
Her groundbreaking achievement includes her role as a Yoruba-language commentator during the FIFA World Cup in 2022, a feat she achieved on television. Additionally, she captivated audiences during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with her energetic radio commentary on Splash FM alongside Shanawole. “Up until now, people still call me to tell me how good it was and how we need to bring it back,” she said, reflecting on the enduring impact of her work.
Adesola’s journey into professional sports broadcasting began at the age of 19, when she joined Pensioners FM in 2019. Her talent was spotted by Dr. Babatunde Tiyamiyu, then Head of Programmes at the station. According to Adesola, it was Dr. Babatunde who first envisioned a female Yoruba sports presenter in Oyo State and reached out to veteran journalist Sunday Agunbiade for a recommendation. Agunbiade, who had known Adesola since her training days with Mr. Kola Oladapo, endorsed her without hesitation.
“When I met Dr. Babatunde, there was an ongoing AFCON tournament. He asked me about it, and I delivered the analysis in Yoruba. He immediately said I was what he was looking for. That moment marked the beginning of my journey,” she recalled.
She credits her early mentorship to Kola Oladapo, who began training her in 2016, and acknowledges Agunbiade’s support in paving the way for her first break. It was also Dr. Babatunde who coined her professional name, Olori Sport—a title that has now become a respected brand in Yoruba sports commentary.
Despite her achievements, Adesola remains passionate about opening doors for other women in the industry. “Yes, I’d really love to see more females in this field,” she said. “Although the struggle is real, we should have more female Yoruba presenters, not just in Oyo State but across the South West.”
While she emphasizes that she is not a feminist, Adesola advocates for capable, disciplined, and independent women who are content with what they have to thrive in sports broadcasting. Her call is for quality, not just quantity, as she hopes to inspire the next generation of Yoruba-speaking female sports presenters.
With her groundbreaking achievements and vision for the future, Olori Sport is not just making commentary in Yoruba—she is rewriting the script for women in African sports media.
