Oyo State Government has pledged that it would encourage youths participation in sporting activities across the State.
In a statement signed by the State’s Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun on Monday December 28, 2020, the State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Seun Fakorede, was reported to have said that the present administration in the state has been doing a lot to promote all sporting activities in order to develop talents and engage youths positively.
He made this known during an international boxing competition between Rilwan Oyekola (scorpion) from Ibadan Nigeria and Lucas Mathias Montesino from Argentina, which was held at Ilaji Sports and Resorts, Akanran in Ibadan.
Fakorede said, Sports, most especially boxing, is a way to bring out youths out of street vices, adding that, “when you invest in the youths, you have invested in Nigerian future”.
”Governor Seyi Makinde is a man of Sports. We are doing a lot to make sure that we promote sporting activities in Oyo State with the theme: One youth, One Sport”, he added.
Ilaji Stadium was filled to the beam as ‘Scorpion’ coasted home to victory during the ten rounds boxing bout between him and his Argentine counterpart Lucas Mathias.
Speaking at the event, Chairman Ilaji Hotels and Resort, Engr. Dotun Sanusi, who doubled as the major sponsor of the competition, admonished youths in the state to see boxing as a profession, so that they could find financial prospects and be employers of labour in the nearest future.
President General, Nigeria Football Supporters’ Club and a lover of boxing, Dr. Rafiu Oladipupo noted that World Boxing Federation tournament happened in Oyo State 57 years ago, but it was a thing of joy that it happened again in the year 2020 during the tenure of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.
He said, “It is a plus for the present administration in the state. This is another way of encouraging youths that instead of using their power to cause chaos, they can use their hands to make millions through boxing”.
Chairman, Oyo State Boxing Board Control, Gbenga Opaleye urged Governor Makinde to continue to encourage youths in the areas of sports, saying that boxing was for the youths and not for the elderly persons.
In his remarks, the Caretaker Chairman Ona-Ara Local Government, Adesina Musbaudeen commended Governor Makinde and Chairman Ilaji Hotels and Resorts, Chief Dotun Sanusi for hosting the competition.
Among the dignitaries that attended the event were the Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor on political strategies, Hon. Babs Oduyoye, Comissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Barr. Abiodun Abd-Raheem and the Special Adviser to the governor on Political Strategies, Hon. Babatunde Oduyooye.
