Ogun State Government says the decision not to host some of the events of the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) in Yewa axis of the State is neither deliberate nor politically motivated.
The main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was reported in a section of the media, accusing the Prince Dapo Abiodun's administration of deliberately excluding people in Yewa axis (Ogun West) from being part of the Nigeria's biennial sports fiesta, by limiting the games' venues of the events to Abeokuta , Remo axis while only hockey is holding at Ijebu-Ode
But the State Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka however clarified on Saturday at a press conference held at the Media Center for the games located within June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, saying the Yewa axis was not deliberately left out as reported in the media
The National Sports Festival according to him, is a national event coordinated by the Federal Government, through the National Sports Commission and not a state-organized festival.
The Commissioner explained that the hosting rights are primarily decided at the federal level, with limited input from the host state.
“The reason why Yewa or Ogun West , one thing I want people to know is that this is national sport festival, it’s not state sport festival. You can invite them to come and show them all your facilities, the decision of where most of this thing will happen almost hundreds percent taken by the federal government.It is not a deliberate action and it’s not political", he stated
On the infrastructural development, Hon. Isiaka revealed that the Ogun State Government is committed to ensuring the full utilization and sustainability of sports facilities across the state.
“ The swimming pool side before now was just a mere bush and you can see what’s happening there now , there’s a lot of things that will still happen in the sport complex.
“We are going to have chalet , we want to define it in a way that we have section for sporting area , one for recreation area and the other for social activities .We want to ensure that all the the space in the sport complex is fully utilized.”
He added that Ogun State currently has five stadia: two in Abeokuta, one in Ijebu Ode, as well as one in Sagamu and Ilaro with plans underway to upgrade all the five.
“On plan for the sporting facilities, as of today we have four stadium in Ogun State, two in Abeokuta, one in Ijebu Ode, one in Sagamu . Presently we have developed two. We want to develop the five stadium and there’s no way we would develop five stadium and expect government to maintain the five , so the possibilities of public private partnership is very high.
Highlighting sustainability and long-term planning, Hon. Isiaka said technical facilities like swimming pools would be managed by professionals with the required expertise, ensuring their effective maintenance.
“I can assure you that none of the facilities will be allowed to rot again,” he affirmed. “We’ve invested heavily, and the government is determined to get value for money. Our facilities will not go to waste.”
On talent development, the Commissioner reiterated the state’s commitment to grooming discovered athletes.
“Once we discover them, we don’t abandon them. We train, nurture, and support them ,that’s our strategy.”, he assured
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