Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji on Tuesday said he has committed huge resources to sports development in order to develop more talents and nurture them to national and global reckoning as well as for wealth creation.
Oyebanji spoke during the groundbreaking ceremony for the multimillion-naira Indoor Sports Complex in Ado-Ekiti.
Describing sport as a veritable weapon to stamp out poverty, joblessness and crime from society, Oyebanji said his government would expand the scope of opportunities for Ekiti youths, who are richly endowed with requisite skills in the sector.
Oyebanji said the project is in firm alignment with the Human Capital Development; and Job Creation and Youth Development pillars and policy thrust of his administration, with a special focus and propensity to building profitable careers for the productive youths in every sector of the economy.
Commending Ekiti athletes for their patriotic zeal, Oyebanji said: “I have been to the stadium, I knew you have not been training under the most conducive condition, in spite of that, you are still winning laurels for Ekiti. I commend you for this.
“This project is part of my electioneering campaign promises, which I made when I was campaigning. I promised to take sports out of the Ministry, which I have done. It is now being run as a full Commission.
“These are the two promises I have made for you and I am fulfilling the second one today. This aligns with the Youth Development and Job Creation and Human Capital Development pillars of my administration.
“Our mission is to build world champions here. We are not just building an indoor sports complex alone, we are building a centre of excellence, where talents are discovered, nurtured and developed to the global level.
“We are going to build this facility, equip it and get the best coaches to train our youths. I don’t have any doubt about the ability of the contractor to deliver the best job for our people. To me, I consider this project a talent development centre to train players for them to gain global reckoning”.
Speaking further, Oyebanji commended Senator Opeyemi Bamidele for embarking on the construction of stadia in some towns in Ekiti Central Sectorial District, saying this giant leap will further complement the government’s strides in the sector.
In his submission, the Chairman, House Committee on Sports Development, Hon. Idowu Odebunmi, said the facility will go a long way in stemming the spiralling tides of internet fraud and robbery that are rampant among the youths, while their talents will be tapped fully for self development.
Outlining the significance of the project, the Technical Advisor to the Governor on Sports, Dr Olusola Osetoba, said the facility will help in engaging the youths and offer them a veritable avenue to shine in local and international competitions.
Osetoba commended the current administration for turning sports into a sustainable career that can create wealth and fame for the youths, saying in an attempt to bolster financial backing for sporting activities that Oyebanji created the Ekiti State Sports Commission to give the sector unfettered latitude to operate freely and enjoy financial independence.
“This facility will be an indoor sports facility for Baseball, Volleyball, modern gymnasium and others. The effect will be far-reaching. It will help in fostering youth development by enabling the environment to get improved skills to participate in national competitions.
“With this facility, we can have the opportunity to host national competitions that will boost the local economy. I am indeed glad that this administration has positioned Ekiti as a hub of sports in Nigeria”.
