The Permanent Secretary, Kwara state Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister (Mrs) Iyabo Funke Banire has call on all and sundry to join hands with the government by investing in grassroots sports development to discourage the youth from engaging in all sorts of social vices
The Permanent Secretary made the call on yesterday in a speech delivered at the ‘Security Talk’ organized by the Kwara state Police Command in conjunction with Kwara state Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), to sensitize the youth on the need to shun crime ahead the 14th edition of the Kwara Commissioner of Police Cup tournament
The speech which was red on her behalf by the Director of Sports Development in the Ministry, Alhaji Olusola Shehu, enjoined the well to do in the society to develop local sporting facilities to engage the youth gainfully
Banire noted that considering the increasing rate of social vices in the society, there is the need to educate and sensitize the youth against all the anti- social behaviors and one of the veritable tools to do that is through sports which she said also promotes unity and national integration.
While commending Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq of Kwara state for providing the enabling environment for sports to thrive in the state, she commended the state Police Command for their magnanimity in sponsoring the tournament
In his ‘security Talk’ lecture to the participating players, CSP C .G. Woru who represented the Commissioner of Police advise them to shun crimes if they want to become great stars in the future
While educating them on security which he explained as being free from drugs, free from cultism, free from rape, free from risk, free from danger, free from fear and all sorts of criminalities, Woru enjoined them to be good ambassadors of their families and let sports have positive impact on whatever career they might choose
Also making his comment, Kwara YSFON Chairman Prince Ademola, Kiyesola while tracing the history of Kwara CP Cup to 2004 when the former Inspector General of Police, MD Abubakar was the Commissioner of Police in the state, he commended the current Commissioner of Police in the state M. L Bagega, who has been promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police for introducing during the U-17 category of the CP Cup this year.
Kiyesola noted that this year’s edition of the tournament is historic as it is the first time a lecture will proceed the tournament and U-17 category included.
He appreciated the state Police Command for partnering YSFON to engage the youth meaningfully, and discourage them from all criminalities.
Kwara state Director of Sports, Coach Ibrahim Alarape Atanda also hinted on drug abuse and urged them to stay away from it as they must think about life after sports.
Also making his remark, the CEO of Kinkon Global Sports Limited, Mr Olalekan Olarewaju Olayonu, who donated a trophy for the U-17 category advised the players to combine sports with education and make discipline their watch word.
Meanwhile, a total number of 41 entries have been received by Kwara state chapter of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), for the 14th edition of both the U-13 and U-17 Commissioner of Police football championship, which has been scheduled to commence on Friday in Ilorin.
The breakdown shows that 22 youth clubs and Academies will trade tackles in the U-13 cadre, while 19 club’s will jostle for honours in the newly introduced U-17 version of the competition.
Expected to play from Group A in the U-13 version are Future Stars FA, New Talents FA, Gidado Kiddies FA, Solicitor FA, Tajudeen Academy andA Arsenal Shao FA.
Group B also has six teams, which includes Lucky Stars FA, Shooting Focus FA, Marvellous FA, Y. F. A, De-Ultimate FA and Supreme FA.
Amazing FA will begin their campaign in Group C alongside JBest Wisdom FA, Covenant FA, Kwara United Academy and Afase Golden Academy, while the last group, Group D has Achievers, Juve Kiddies, Makams FA, Barca Kiddies and Kazeem FA.
Teams in the U-17 cadre have also been paired into four groups, with Adezzy FA, Kwara Young Stars, Dream Makers FA and Axhievers FA playing from Group A.
Petvic Soccer College is in Group B with Kwara Football Academy, Future Stars, Laderin FA and Young Talents, while Sunset Birds FA, Real Ultimate FA, Wisdom FA, Flash Bombers and Surprise FA are drawn in Group C.
La Planet Academia leads four other teams in Group D. Others are Crown FC of Shao, Young Atlas FA, Fabulous FA and Covenant FA.
