Osun Sports Festival: State Govt to identify, nurture talented athletes

Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo

As efforts are put in place ahead of the forthcoming Osun Sports Festival(OSF), the State government has disclosed its aim to positively channel the energy of youths, identify budding talents, and nurture them to stardom.

Osun State Commissioner for Sports, Yemi Lawal said the above on Tuesday during a press conference at the state secretariat in Osogbo.

The Commissioner stressed that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola believes in the energy and talents of the youths, hence the need to channel their energy towards the development of the sports in the state.

The sports festival which will hold in August will feature about 31 sporting events.

Hon. Lawal said “It has been the focus of the present administration under the leadership of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola to develop sports at the grassroots, the festival will be taken to all the nooks and crannies of the state.

“Because of our alliance with the National Youth Policy, the festival will give all youths between the age range of 15 and 29 the opportunity to showcase their sports prowess and those that are identified will be trained and nurtured to stardom.

“The festival will parade athletes in 31 sports which will include athletics, football, tennis, volleyball, boxing, weightlifting among others and it will be held in three phases of Local, Zonal and State. All local government areas will present at least 100 athletes at the festival which will climax by the last week of August.”

In her address, Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode said the present administration has seen sports as a catalyst for development in the state.

Egbemode, who was represented by the Coordinating Director, Ministry of Information and Civic Orientation, Bar. Mrs Bukola Aderibigbe, said the governor believes the energy of the youths can be effectively channelled through sports.