Support grassroots sports to discover more talents – Ibadan indigenes tell Nigerian govt

The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) has called on governments at all levels to support grassroots sports.

CCII noted that this is necessary to develop more talents in sports across the country.

Chairperson of the Sports Sub-Committee of the 2024 Ibadan Cultural Festival Week, Alhaja Folasade Olayiwola, made this declaration at the finals of sports competitions organized for female and male students in secondary schools in the city on Thursday.

The event was attended by CCII President General, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, Chairman of the 2024 Ibadan Cultural Festival Week, Balogun Gaphar Ojetola, Mogaji Isiaq Ajibola Salawu-Areokuta, and Chairman of the Karim Adeyemi Foundation, who was represented by Barrister Olamide Idowu.

Others in attendance included the 2023 NNPP gubernatorial candidate in the state, Mr. Joshua Popoola, and the Jagun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Dotun Sanusi.

Our correspondent reports that Adem High School scored three goals and won the female category after defeating Elekuro High School, which scored zero goals.

In the male category, Ibadan South East scored one goal to emerge as the winner after beating Ibadan North East, which scored zero goals.

Olayiwola, while addressing journalists at the event, said that the competition was organized to discover more talents in sports.

Olayiwola, who also serves as the Social Secretary of CCII, called on the federal and state governments to allocate more funds to support grassroots sports.

She added that this is necessary to discover more talents in sports.

“We want to discover more talents in Ibadanland. We are doing this to encourage our young ones. We need to engage them. We do it every year.

“We have been supporting grassroots sports through these competitions. We have secondary school students participating. Even the best are being picked by coaches within and outside the country. Some of these best have gotten the opportunity to travel abroad.

“We are appealing to the governments at all levels to support grassroots sports. This will help us discover more talents in sports.”