Oyo Proposes to Host Next National Sports Festival

The Chairman of the Oyo State Sports Council; Honorable Gbenga Adewusi has disclosed that Oyo State is prepared and interested in hosting the next edition of the National Sports Festival.

Hon. Adewusi made this known to leaders of the Oyo State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) who paid a courtesy visit to him at his office on Wednesday. He specified that the political leaders and sports administrators in Oyo state have communicated their desire to the Oyo-born Minister for Sports Mr. Sunday Dare.

In his words; “The Sport Loving Governor of Oyo State Engineer Seyi Makinde is interested in hosting the next edition of the National Sports Festival. And we have told the Minister for Sports that we want to host the next edition after the one in Edo State. We have begun preparations for this, with the ongoing upgrade of the Lekan Salami Stadium. Besides, we’re also upgrading some mini stadia in six geo-political zones as well as sports arenas in the state capital.”
Highlighting the state’s effort towards the forthcoming sports Festival in Edo State, Hon. Gbenga Adewusi made it known that athlete pf the state is currently engaged in training sessions and that financial rewards have been earmarked to outstanding performers from the state. This he said will boost their preparation and dedication to work.

“We’re leaving no stone unturned at ensuring that our contingent performs excellently in Edo state. Aside from giving the athletes sound preparations, we have also proposed on – the – spot reward to each athlete who wins a medal, to the state governor for approval. In addition to state government’s reward, I am also promising to give each of the state gold medalists 5% of my monthly salary”, the Chairman of Oyo State Sports Council disclosed.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman Oyo SWAN, Mr. Niyi Alebiosu who led the delegation of sports journalists on the visit to Hon. Adewusi said the visit was to appreciate the good works that Honorable Adewusi has been doing since his appointment in 2020.

Alebiosu used the occasion to call on the Oyo State Sports Council boss to look into the possibility of bringing back female football teams for the state, saying that “it will not only help the talents in the state but will also give employments to various officials in the state. Oyo state was known to having good female football teams in the past, Nito Queens and Tewo Babes, but these had gone moribund. So I want to appeal to you Sir to please resuscitate female football in the state”.

Among those who played host to the visiting sportswriters, was the General Manager of the Oyo State Sports Council, Mr. Gboyega Makinde, who took the team on an inspection tour of the Lekan Salami Stadium to assess the remodelling works going on there.