By Kayode Adeoti
The deputy Governor of Kwara State, Mr Kayode Alabi, has noted that
the state government will invest in sport as a means of reducing the
level of poverty in the state.
He made the disclosure during the courtsey visit of the ‘Team Kwara’
to the deputy Governor’s residence at Fate area, Ilorin.
He said sport, if well managed will take many people out of poverty in
the state maintaining that talents will be fished out from all the
local areas in the state.
According to Alabi, Ilorin stadium is one of the best in Nigeria, but
lost its glory to poor management stressing that government will
invest in it to enable it function ultimally.
As a means of discouraging the athletes from seeking greener pastures
outside the state, Alabi said the governor will give priority to the
welfare of athletes.
“We lost our ahlethes because there is no motivation. Sport is one
game that can take lots of people out of poverty. Pele, Lionel Messi
are all from poor homes, yet, through sport they become champions of
their world. State government must take sport seriously.
“Governor Abudulrahman Abdulrasaq loves ball, I played basketball ball
too, In 1979, I represented Kwara in a tournament in Lagos, we won for
our state.
However, it is incumbent on us to promote sporting activities.
“Imagine if Messi, Rolando are from Kwara state, they will be here to
invest, to build houses, and those house will be taxed to generate
income for the government. Apart from agriculture, sport will be used
to empower youths.
“My boss will take sport serious. When I came to the stadium, I felt
bad. The hotels are in bad state. In Lagos we have about 6 stadium,
how many do we have in Kwara?
Things will change by the grace of God,” he stressed.
Earlier, the leader of the Team Kwara who doubles as the Director of
Sport, Nigeria, Kwara State chapter, while facilitating with the
deputy Governor’s victory at the last general election in the state,
urged the new government to invest in the grassroots sport.
He said, “Your administration should take sport more importantly. The
only factor that can bring people together is sport and it should be
placed in it right position in the scheme of things in the state.
“Kwara has lost most of its athletes to others state, reason is
because we are not able to sustain them interms of remuneration.
Facilities in the stadium needs urgent attention. Ilorin stadium is
the only that can accommodate 28 sports in Nigeria, gulf is the only
game played outside the stadium.
