As the South West Zonal Elimination of the 2022 National Sports Festival kicked off on Tuesday at Lanreleke Sports Academy Ile-Ile Ogbo and Bowen University Iwo, Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola has assured officials, athletes and coaches of adequate security and improved welfare for all participants
Oyetola who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Yemi Lawal gave the assurance on Tuesday while declaring open the 4-day event where best athletes to represent South West in the ball games at the main event in Asaba, Delta State later this year would be selected.
Declaring the event open, the Governor said “As we all know that Osun is one of the most peaceful states in the nation, this notwithstanding, I want to assure all participants that the Government has put in place 24-hour security surveillance around the venue as well as the hostel accommodation. However, everyone of us should be security conscious and be your brother’s keeper.
While lauding Lanre-Leke Sports Academy and Bowen for their collaboration in hosting the event, the Governor charged organizers to be fair in their judgment and officiating for the region to present good representatives at the main event.
“Let me also thank our hosts, Lanreleke Sports Academy and Bowen University, Iwo for the release of their facilities to host these events, Permit me to state that this event ought to take place at the Osogbo Township Stadium but because of the construction that is ongoing there as the government wants to upgrade the pitch to an international standard. Be rest assured that the next edition, if given the State the hosting right, will be held on the pitch for the government is working assiduously to ensure speedy completion of the construction.
“To the organizers and officials, it is important that you maintain fairness in your judgment as this is the only panacea through which the best teams (athletes) that will do the zone proud can be identified. Therefore, do the assignment without fear or favour and let the best come out of the competition. When there is fair officiating, athletes will go home fulfilled even when they lose.”
Earlier, Managing Director of Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd, Engr Olanrewaju Adeleke in his remarks expressed his happiness and promised quality welfare and and accommodation for all officials, athletes and coaches.
“We are delighted that all ball games of southwest zonal qualification of the National Sports Festival (tagged Delta 2022), will be hosted at the Lanreleke Sports Academy in Ileogbo and Bowen University.
“It will be a beehive of activities here at the Lanreleke Sports facility in the next four days, as seven ball games will be hosted here. We assure you of quality services through our standard facilities, good welfare and security of lives and property till the events last
Over 800 athletes from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti State will be participating in football, basketball, handball, volleyball, hockey, base/softball and beach volleyball.
The closing ceremony of the zonal elimination will hold on Thursday at the Bowen University, Iwo as the two institutions have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the area of academy and sports.
The 21st edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) which was earlier scheduled to take place between 2-15 November, will now hold from 28 November till 10 December in Asaba, Delta State.