Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has officially declared open the 8th Kwara State Sports Festival, charging young athletes to embrace unity, sportsmanship, discipline and personal development throughout the competition.
The festival, which brings together athletes from all 16 Local Government Areas of the state, is featuring competitions across 26 sporting events at the George Agbazika Innih Stadium Complex, Ilorin, and will run until August 29.
Representing the Governor at the opening ceremony, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Coach Bola Magaji, commended the chairmen of the 16 Local Government Areas for mobilising their contingents for the festival.
Coach Magaji said the competition was designed not only to promote sporting excellence but also to foster peaceful coexistence, build friendships among young people, promote sportsmanship and discover talents at the grassroots.
He noted that the revival of the biennial state sports festival was another demonstration of Governor AbdulRazaq’s commitment to sports development and youth engagement in the state.
According to him, the return of the festival after a long hiatus would provide an avenue for discovering emerging talents, engaging young people positively and maximising the use of sports facilities across Kwara.
Magaji urged the athletes to give their best in their respective events while reminding them not to neglect their education.
He advised the young competitors to strike a balance between sports and academics, stressing that while sporting talents and physical abilities should be maximised during their youthful years, education remained a strong foundation for their future.
He thereafter declared the festival open on behalf of Governor AbdulRazaq amid applause from athletes, coaches, officials and other stakeholders.
Stakeholders at the opening ceremony commended the Kwara State Government for its renewed commitment to sports development, particularly its investment in sports infrastructure and the creation of an enabling environment for young athletes to discover, develop and showcase their talents.
Former Director of Sports, Mrs. Serah Bola Esan, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr. Steve Olarinoye, and other dignitaries expressed goodwill towards the successful hosting of the festival.
They described the event as an important platform for talent discovery, youth development, unity, friendship and sportsmanship, while urging athletes and officials to give their best and uphold the principles of fair play.
Representing the Head of Service, Mrs. Olufunke Mercy Shittu, Malam Haliru Ayatu described the festival as a welcome development and evidence of the state government’s efforts to upscale sports activities in Kwara.
Ayatu said sports development in the state had improved tremendously, noting that the renovation and upgrading of the Kwara State Stadium had provided a conducive environment for athletes and sports enthusiasts.
He commended the state government’s investment in sports infrastructure and urged the athletes to maximise the opportunity provided by the festival to gain experience, develop their talents and build careers.
According to him, sports have gone beyond entertainment and have become a viable career and business opportunity through which young people can earn a living.
Ayatu congratulated all the participants and urged them to approach the competition with discipline and sportsmanship, stressing that the festival should be regarded as a fair competition rather than a fight.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of Isin Local Government, Mr. Ezekiel Benjamin, commended Governor AbdulRazaq for transforming the George Agbazika Innih Stadium and upgrading the facility to a standard capable of hosting major sporting activities.
Benjamin noted that the stadium had historically served as a breeding ground for sporting talents, producing athletes who went on to represent Nigeria at national and international competitions.
He expressed optimism that the ongoing festival would provide another opportunity to discover talents capable of representing Kwara State and Nigeria on the global stage.
The Isin council chairman also praised the participation of all 16 Local Government Areas, describing it as a significant development for grassroots sports.
He urged the athletes to remain committed, give their best and continue working hard, assuring them that dedication and perseverance could lead to excellence.
Similarly, the Executive Chairman of Edu Local Government, Alhaji Muhammad Bello, applauded the state government for prioritising youth engagement through sports.
Bello said the festival would promote unity among young people from different Local Government Areas while providing an avenue to identify talents and potentials that could contribute to the development of Kwara State.
He expressed confidence in the preparedness of Edu Local Government’s athletes, saying the delegation was determined to compete strongly and emerge as the overall best across the various sporting events.
The 8th Kwara State Sports Festival is expected to provide a platform for young athletes across the state to compete, gain valuable experience and showcase their abilities while strengthening unity and friendship among the participating Local Government Areas.
