OSUN GOVERNMENT KICK- START ACTIONS TOWARDS SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
Osun State Special Adviser to the Governor on Art/ Youths & Sports, Honourable Iyiola Sefiu Babatunde has reiterated government commitment to sports development by embarking on programmes that will ameliorate the poor condition of sports in the State.
This is contained in a release issued by the Chief PRO. of the Sports Council-, Mrs Funmilayo Moradeyo.
Hon. Shefiu Iyiola stated this yesterday alongside with the SA to the Deputy Governor on sports matters, Prince Adeyemi Kolawole while speaking at the Coaches & Sport Organisers meeting at the City Stadium.
He noted that “it is disheartening that the State cannot boast of having one standard stadium up till now. He therefore, commended the State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke for his magnanimity in approving the renovation of Osogbo City Stadium as well as the construction of other necessary facilities in the stadium.
Hon. Shefiu further revealed some of the sport programmes to be embarked upon which he believed will move sports to a higher pedestal in the State and at the national level.
He concluded by confirming that the State government has graciously approved the increment of allowances payable to Athletes and contract Coaches so as to get the best out of them.
Among the programmes lined up are: upgrading the stadium facilities to a competitive standard; awarding the athletes that have done the state proud in various national competitions so as to boost their morale; repositioning the sporting associations in order to function as expected; organising state sports festival in the first quarter of the year to fish out hidden talents that abound in the nooks and crannies of the State for preparatory competitions; immediate provision of sports equipment to facilitate better performance of athletes and coaches as well as deepen public interest in sports development.
In his own remarks, the SA, Prince Kolawole noted that *”to whom much is given, much is expected”* charging the athletes and officials to always justify the confidence reposed in them.
He admonished them not to relent in their efforts at doing the State proud as the government is now paying attention to their yearnings.
Speaking further, they both commended the Deputy Governor who doubles as the Commissioner for sports, Prince Kola Adewusi for working round the clock to make things work out well in the field of sports.
Earlier, the General Manager of the Sports Council, Mr Rotimi Dunmoye thanked them for this crucial meeting and their genuine efforts at ensuring the betterment of sports which he said has been yielding fruitful results noting that other sports, besides football, will now have the opportunity to attend competitions without any hindrance.
Responding on behalf of coaches and Organisers, the HCD- head of coaching in charge of ball Games- Coach Kehinde Johnson who highlighted some of their needs thanked them for the meeting and promised that they will do all that lay in their power in ensuring good performance in any competition to reciprocate the kind gestures of amiable and sports loving Governor- Senator Ademola Adeleke.
In his vote of thanks, the director, Coaching and Training, Mr Demola Daini extolled the Governor for his love for sports and commended Deputy Governor and the two Special Advisers for their pragmatic and concerted efforts towards sports development in the state .He expressed optimism that the meeting will yield good results urging coaches to be up and doing and always table their official request as early as possible to allow for due diligence.