Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has officially declared open the 8th Kwara State Sports Festival.
The festival, which features athletes from all 16 Local Government Areas of the state competing across 28 sporting events, is being held at the George Agbazika Innih Stadium Complex, Ilorin, and will run from Saturday through August 29.
Representing the Governor at the opening ceremony, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Coach Bola Mogaji, called on young athletes to embrace unity, sportsmanship, discipline and personal development throughout the multi-sport event.
He expressed appreciation to the Chairmen of the 16 Local Government Areas for mobilising their contingents to participate in the festival.
Mogaji said the primary objectives of the festival were to foster peaceful coexistence, build friendships among young people, promote sportsmanship and discover grassroots talents across the state.
“We are here to compete, we are here to make friends, and we are here to showcase sports. Unity remains our best option,” he said.
He highlighted Governor AbdulRazaq’s commitment to sports development, noting that the administration had revived the biennial state sports festival after a long hiatus.
According to him, the revival of the competition represents another significant milestone in youth engagement, grassroots talent discovery and the utilisation of sports facilities across the state.
Mogaji urged the athletes to give their best in their respective sporting disciplines while reminding them not to neglect their academic pursuits.
He advised the young athletes to strike a balance between sports and education, explaining that while sporting talents and physical agility should be maximised during their youth, education would provide them with a strong foundation for the future.
He subsequently declared the festival open on behalf of Governor AbdulRazaq, amid applause from athletes, coaches, officials and local government representatives.
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Meanwhile, stakeholders at the festival have also commended the Kwara State Government for its renewed commitment to sports development, particularly its investment in sports infrastructure and the provision of an enabling environment for young athletes to discover, develop and showcase their talents.
The Former Director of Sports, Mrs. Serah Bola Esan, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr. Steve Olarinoye, and other dignitaries expressed goodwill and support for the successful hosting of the festival.
They described the event as an important platform for talent discovery, youth development, unity, friendship and sportsmanship. They urged participating athletes and officials to give their best and uphold the principles of fair play throughout the competition.
Representing the Head of Service, Mrs. Olufunke Mercy Shittu, Malam Haliru Hayattu described the festival as a welcome development and evidence of the state government’s efforts to upscale sports activities in Kwara State.
Hayattu commended the state government for its investment in sports infrastructure and urged the athletes to maximise the opportunity provided by the festival to acquire experience, develop their talents and build careers.
Stadium Upgrade
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of Isin Local Government, Mr. Ezekiel Benjamin, commended Governor AbdulRazaq for transforming the face of the George Agbazika Innih Stadium and upgrading the facility to a standard capable of hosting major sporting activities.
He expressed optimism that the ongoing sports festival would provide another platform for discovering new talents who could represent Kwara State and Nigeria on the world stage.
The Isin Council Chairman also praised the participation of the 16 Local Governments, describing it as an important development for grassroots sports.
He urged the athletes to remain committed, give their best and continue working hard, assuring them that dedication and perseverance could lead to excellence.
The Executive Chairman of Edu Local Government, Muhammad Bello, also applauded the state government for prioritising youth engagement through sports.
Bello said the festival would promote unity among young people from the various Local Government Areas, while providing an avenue to identify talents and potentials that could contribute to the development of Kwara State.
The former Chairman of Kwara United Football Club and former Board Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Council, Bamidele Aluko, described himself as one of the happiest persons witnessing the festival.
Aluko, who has served at different levels of sports administration in the state, recalled that he first entered the stadium as a member of the Sports Council before later becoming its Chairman and subsequently Chairman of Kwara United Football Club.
He said the transformation he witnessed at the stadium represented a significant departure from what obtained during his time, commending Governor AbdulRazaq for his investment in sports development and infrastructure.
He described the return of the state sports festival as a step in the right direction, noting that bringing athletes from all 16 Local Government Areas together would make it possible to identify talents from the grassroots rather than relying excessively on recruiting established athletes.
Aluko urged the Local Government Chairmen to become more proactive in developing sports in their respective areas.
Addressing the athletes, he described the festival as an opportunity to showcase their talents and pursue careers in different sporting disciplines.
He urged them to take the competition seriously, put in their best and remain focused, noting that opportunities existed for talented athletes to compete at various levels nationally and internationally.
The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr. Steve Olarinoye, appreciated the support received from the Kwara State Government, participating local governments, officials, coaches, athletes, volunteers and other stakeholders.
Olarinoye assured participants and stakeholders that the committee would continue to work diligently towards ensuring a successful, well-organised and memorable festival.
He congratulated all participating teams and athletes and wished them the best of luck, urging them to compete with discipline, determination and respect for the rules of the various events.
The festival is expected to further strengthen grassroots sports development in Kwara State while promoting unity, peaceful coexistence, youth empowerment, talent discovery and healthy competition among young people from the 16 Local Government Areas.
