Captain, Ibadan Golf Club (IGC), Retired Col. Ade Sunmonu, has called on government at all levels to show more commitment to sports development in the country.
Sunmonu told newsmen on Tuesday in Ibadan that more commitment to sports development could help reduce unemployment, idleness and crime rate in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sunmonu made the call on the sideline of a news conference to herald Seyi Makinde Women Support Golf Championship scheduled to hold in Ibadan.
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He said that apart from football, government has not been supporting other sporting events in the country particularly golf.
Sunmonu said that sports were a greater tool for government to tackle unemployment, idleness and crime in the country, saying it provides opportunity to engage and empower the youths in the country.
“When I was growing, the federal government contributes a lot to school sports which to a large extent kept many of us engaged. Then, a lot of us participate in one sports or the other.
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“Identifying and nurturing talents in sports provide opportunity for many to be empowered. Today, government has only been supportive to football in the country,’’ he said.
He said that sports was also another contributor to economic buoyancy, adding it boost tourism and generates revenue for government and the private sector.
“For instance, there are over a thousand guests in Ibadan today for the Makinde Golf Championship among which are participants and others.
“Many of these guests from across the country would patronise hotels, markets and tourist sites in the state which will no doubt contribute to the state’s economy,’’ he said.
Sunmonu said that government must ensure the formulation of policies to support sports and show more commitment towards its implementation for the good of all.
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He said that government must lead for corporate organizations and well-meaning Nigerians to follow on this, saying such would be a challenge to sports association in the country.
“Our vision is to encourage young ones. Our plan is to partner the state ministry of culture and tourism as well as schools to bring this to fruition,’’ he said.
Sunmonu lauded the contributions of Gov. Seyi Makinde to sports development as a philanthropist, expressing optimism that he would support sports development in the state.