Sports

SPORTS PERSONALITY: KWSG should create a sport commission – Olokoba

 

Sulyman Toyin Olokoba is the Chairman of RATCOM Football Academy, Ilorin and immediate SA political to the former Governor of Kwara State. In this interview with MIKE ADEYEMI, he speaks about his passion for grassroots  football development as well as the need for the Kwara State Government to create a sport commission to bring about growth in the sector. Excerpts:
What led to the formation of Ratcom FC?
On my assumption of office as Chairman Ilorin East Football Council I promised to develop football at the grassroots.
This made the council to organise under13 Junior Secondary School Football Competition and we discovered many young talents.
This led to a football academy.
Also, a Giant Cup has been donated to be competed for amongst interested clubs in the state.
This will give us another opportunity to discover talented players among them. The Cup is tagged ‘Unity Cup’.
How much have you invested in the  Ratcom FC?
Well, it’s not easy to take academy to a full blown Football Club. It costs me much, but because of the passion I have for football, I didn’t mind.
As a grassroots person, how do you see the emergence of Gidado FC at the NNL?
The promotion of Gidado FC into the Nigerian National League is a good development for the state.
The Chairman is a sport loving person who has been spending his personal resources for the development of football at the grassroots.
Thank God for him, the club has made it to division one level. Now we have three division one in Kwara State. I think its good for the state.
As a runner up  in the last Football Association (FA) chairmanship elections. What is your contribution to the association?
In my post election interactions with the press, I promised to keep developing football at the grassroots.
I kept to my promise by forming my own team to compete in amateur three aside. So I wish others will follow suite.
How do you think Sporting industry can be better positioned in the state?
The Kwara State Government needs to look towards forming sports commission and where we will have a tenure chairman of four years.
The chairman will have ample time to come up with sports developmental programmes. With these sport will move to next level in the state.
How would you assess the performance of current FA executive?
The current Kwara FA executives are doing their best since they assumed office and I hope they will not relent in developing football at the grassroots. To be sincere they are trying.

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