We’ll develop sports in Oyo from natural strength ―Fakorede

Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Seun Fakorede has assured that he will do everything to work with stakeholders on sports in the ministry and state to develop sports from its natural strength to achieve desired result as packaged in the vision of the state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde.

Fakorede disclosed this when he played host to the Executive members and some members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Oyo state chapter, at his office, on Friday.

The SWAN team was led by its chairman Mr Niyi Alebiosu, include; Tunde Ogunesan from Nigerian Tribune, Eniola Afolabi from IBR television, Dayo Okunniyi from Inspiration FM, Abas Akeem from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Femi Amusan, AIT, Sikiru Akinola, Oyo Insight, Olawale Olaniyan, Nigerian Tribune, Ayobami Animasahun, Inspiration FM and Yinka Bode-Are, also from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The Commissioner noted that under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, Oyo state will witness paradigm shift in sports development in the state.

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He said: “I appreciate this visit as a good one because personally I don’t joke with press and media generally. That’s why my arms are so open in this capacity and I appreciate the media houses present here.

“I am not going to be commissioner for football only but for sports generally. By the grace of God, my major plan is to focus on sport that we really have strength in, from then, we can now project to the other sports that we’re trying to develop.

“We have amazing plan that very soon we’re going to churn out in details. Governor Seyi Makinde has interest of the youths of the state at heart, and he is an unrepentant progressive supporter of sports generally. And with the insight that I have into his agenda, they’re amazing.”

On how he intends to project this, Fakorede said “what I want to do is to be a loud speaker to amplify what the speaker says. And who is the Speaker in this context- Engineer Seyi Makinde. This is because I believe in the programme and projections that he already has.

“I am okay by it and it is good enough to take Oyo State to greater heights in both youth and sports development. What I am here to do is to optimise, embellish and see to the full and complete manifestation of this agenda.”

Earlier, the chairman of Oyo SWAN, Mr Niyi Alebiosu thank governor Makinde on behalf of the youths in the state for fulfilling his promise made during the electioneering campaign by appointing a real youth to head the ministry.

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He then advised the commissioner to take the advantage of the Minister of Sports, Mr Sunday Dare who also hails from Oyo state to annex his support and that of the Federal Government and as well use his good office to develop sports facilities scattered about the nooks and crannies of the state, saying “sports can only thrive in an atmosphere where facilities are available.”

He also enjoin the commissioner to bid for national sports festival during the administration of Governor Makinde, noting that this will aid in upgrading the sports facilities in the state.

Alebiosu who assured the commissioner of a good partnership with major members of the association in the state to achieve success in the state and also appealed to him to work with sports stakeholders in the state.