The Ogun state government has expressed its readiness to adopt a catch-them-young approach to scout for budding talents in secondary schools for the 2024 National Sports Festival (NSF) which the state will be hosting.
The Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka, dropped the hint while playing host to the Grand Union of Private Schools Associations (GUPSA) at the Conference Room of the Ministry, in Abeokuta.
He noted that schools’ annual Inter-House Sports is one of the many ways that serves as a platform to identify talents to represent the State in local, national and international competitions.
Isiaka submitted that while the state is trying to bring out the best potential in the students, their educational careers will be guided jealously.
“In each senatorial zone in Ogun State, we have at least one stadium, and for us to utilize and make good use of these facilities, we are ready to partner with anybody that would help add value to our children especially, the society and what will make our state progress. We are ready to partner with you and make those facilities available”, he said.
Earlier in her address, the Secretary of the Association, Mrs. Flourish Amoo-Obanla, said they have been engaging their students in intra-sports competitions, which had created healthy rivalry amongst them,
She, therefore, appealed to the state government to support them with sporting facilities, while also suggesting a bi-lateral cooperation between the government and GUPSA.
