Gov Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says his administration will continue to develop youths through sporting activities. Makinde stated this on Monday while receiving the Oyo State-born table tennis star, Aruna Quadri, in his office in Agodi, Ibadan.
He said that development of the Sports sector would make it a top source of revenue for not only the state, but the entire nation.
The governor, who lauded Quadri for making the state and Nigeria proud, said that the table tennis star’s achievements will always motivate other youths to get involved in GYHRSQFRRsports, He added that Quadri is not only a gift to the state, but also a gift to to the continent of Africa and the world.
According to the governor, the state intends to achieve the development of talents through a massive investment in sports development.
He pointed out that the remodelling and rehabilitation of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, other mini-stadia and training pitches in all zones of the state have begun to yield positive results. “
For us, in the four main pillars of this administration; the last one, which is the expansion of our economy, taking as many of our youths off the streets, is actually working, as played out here. “
And the government is not relenting, this is because we believe that some of the talents we can develop will not only serve as motivation to others but can also become big sources of revenue for the state and the country. “
It may be an appropriate time for me to mention that Sarah Adegoke, who won Gold for Oyo State in the last National Sports Festival, is now in Europe, Spain to be precise, where she can launch her professional career. “
So, we will continue to encourage people like Quadri, who are breaking through nationally and internationally, to come back to Oyo State and develop sports,” he stated.
Quadri appreciated Gov. Makinde for his support towards sports development, citing the remodelled Lekan Salami Stadium and other stadia in the state.
He encouraged youths to get involved in sporting activities to reduce crime rate. “I also want to encourage youths on the street that through sports, they can have a better future rather than roaming about. “
I thought of taking this table tennis sport to the higher level by giving back to the society in a very big way. “
I mean taking table tennis to schools, streets and encouraging our youths in order to reduce the crime rate,” he said. (NAN)
