The Ogun State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), has called on the commissioner for the newly created Ministry of Sports Development, Hon Wasiu Isiaka to deploy sports as a tool in curbing cultism and other social vices in the state.
SWAN State Chairman, Michael Ogunsiji gave the advice when he led members of his association on a courtesy visit to the commissioner at his office in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Ogunsiji urged the commissioner to resuscitate the Principal’s Cup, Governor’s Cup and other sporting events to keep the youths engaged in productive activities.
The SWAN chairman lamented poor funding of sports, saying it was regrettable that the government had not given sports development the attention it deserves.
He called on the government to partner with private investors in establishing a football academy to promote and market young stars.
“The youths would love to see the glamorous and glorious Principal’s Cup come back to life. We want you to revive it and other sporting events. These competitions usually bring everybody, particularly youths together.
“Sporting events like this could be used to engage youths positively and disabuse their mind from engaging in cultism and other social vices.
“Students that are engaged in sports and other extracurricular activities will not have time to engage in criminal activities.
“Besides, these sporting events will also serve as veritable platforms for the discovery and grooming of young stars who be useful for the state and country at large”, Ogunsiji said.
Also Speaking, former Chairman of the Association, Mr Biodun Alabi who noted that sports had become a social mobility capacity development programme for for young ones said there was the need for government to come with a roadmap to achieve the needed goals in sports in the state.
Responding, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon Wasiu Isiaka noted that necessary plans had been made to achieve the set mandate of returning Gateway United football club to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
Isiaka noted that the intention of the state government to host the National Sports Festival next year showed that Governor Dapo Abiodun has great plans for sports in the State.
He disclosed that the ministry with the directive of the Governor would unveil a comprehensive strategy for sports development in the state in a couple of weeks.
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