KGSG states commitment to grassroots sports development
Kogi State government has restated its commitment to developing sport in the grassroots in view of its capacity to channel youth talents to positive use.
Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Edward Onoja made the declaration on Tuesday at Ogugu in an address after the finals of 2018 Ogugu Premier League.
He said the present administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello committed so much resources into the sector to ensure it achieves its objectives as demonstrated by the qualification of the state owned football club, Kogi United into the elite league of Nigerian football, the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) for the first time in the 27 year existence of the state.
“The team's qualification is a proof that the present administration is committed to ensuring that youths have necessary avenues to display their talents to the world because the club would definitely need blooding in of new hands to record success in the premier league.
“As this is going on, there is no doubt that in time, players from our villages and local communities would one day have the opportunity to be seen on national and international television stations where scouts would see and take them abroad,” he told the players and officials present at the finals.
He added that committing the youths to positively displaying their talents would have multiple effect as it would also help in curbing their tedencies to channeling their efforts into vices and save government major resources for the development of other sectors other than security.
The final was won by Real Madrid Football of Ogugu which defeated Arsenal Football Club on penalties after a 1 – 1 draw.
Hon Onoja then handed both teams the winner and runner-up medals at the end of the encounter which was witnessed by football enthusiasts and prominent sons and daughters of Ogugu.
About Post Author
