Oyo State shows interest to host National Sports Festival
NEWS DIGEST – The Oyo State Sports Council has disclosed that the state has showed interest to host the next edition of the National Sports Festival.
The Chairman of the state sports council, Gbenga Adewusi, said this to the leaders of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Oyo state chapter, via a courtesy visit to his office.
Adewusi added that Oyo state’s intention was geared by the sports-loving governor of the state, Engineer Seyi Makinde.
The chairman further stated that the Pacesetter State has began preparations to host the festival.
Adewusi said the political leaders and sports administrators in the Pacesetter State have communicated their desire to the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, who is an indigene of the state said.
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The chairman said, “The sports-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. In addition, we are also upgrading some mini stadia in six geo-political zones as well as sports arenas in the state capital.”
Adewusi added that they have proposed ‘on-the-spot’ reward to each medalist as an encouragement for the state’s contingents.
He also vowed to give five per cent of his personal monthly salary to each gold medalist from the competition.
“We are leaving no stone unturned at ensuring that our contingent perform excellently in Edo State. Aside giving the athletes sound preparations, we have also proposed on-the-spot reward to each athlete who wins 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 per cent of my monthly salary.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of SWAN in the state, Niyi Alebiosu, who led the delegation of sports journalists on the visit to Adewusi, said the gesture was to appreciate the good works that he has been doing since his appointment in 2020.
