From Ayinla Bashir, Ilorin
The Kwara State government is to tap and utilitise the potential available in Sports to reduce poverty in the state.
The State Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi stated this in Ilorin while receiving members of Team Kwara during a courtesy visit in his office.
Mr Alabi said the state government would give necessary attention and priority to Sports to positively engage Youth to develop their talents.
The Deputy Governor who was part of the State handball team that defeated Lagos State in the final of the National Handball Championship played 1978 stated that the state athletes would be motivated to spur them for greater heights in their career.
He added that apart from Agriculture, sports would be used to engage youths to stay off crime and vices.
Mr Alabi promised that with the support of the people, the present administration would turn the current fortune of the State for better.
The Deputy Governor charged Team Kwara and Sports administrators to give priority attention to schools sports with the intention of tapping talents at a younger age.
Earlier the leader of Team Kwara, Mallam Tunde Kazeem congratulated the present administration on their victory at the poll and prayed God to grant them good health and wisdom to pilot the affairs of the State.
Mallam Kazeem who is the State Director of Sports and Chairman Nigeria Directors of Sports Forum described sports as a unifying factor that bound Nigerians together irrespective of tribe or religion.
The Team leader called on the State government to give attention to sports development and in view of its potential and opportunities.
He explained that the facilities at the State Stadium Complex needs urgent repairs adding that the edifice can host twenty eight sporting events at a time.
Mallam Kazeem disclosed that the Team Kwara was set up to reach out to individuals and corporate bodies to support and achieve the Sports policy thrust of the Government.
