*POWA urges parents to use sports to empower girl-child
Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has pledged increased government support for grassroots sports development as part of efforts to engage youths, discover talents and promote their well-being.
The Governor made the commitment at the closing ceremony of the 17th edition of the Kwara State Commissioner of Police Cup, organised by the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria YSFON in Ilorin.
Represented by the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Mogaji, Governor AbdulRazaq said his administration would strengthen its sponsorship and active participation in subsequent editions of the tournament.
He said keeping young people actively engaged in sports would help reduce crime, while promoting their physical, mental and economic well-being.
The Governor also noted that well-structured grassroots sports programmes provide opportunities for talented young athletes to develop their skills and secure professional contracts with major clubs.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mallam Mogaji commended the organisers for introducing the female category, describing sports as one of the strongest unifying factors across communities and cultures.
He said the inclusion of the female tournament, now in its second year, reflected the need to promote gender inclusivity in grassroots sports development.
Mallam Mogaji also appreciated the Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, and the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) for their partnership and support towards the success of the competition.
Meanwhile, Future Stars FA emerged champions of the U-17 Boys category after defeating Koller FC 3-2 in the final.
Future Stars also completed a double in the boys’ categories, defeating UNIPES FA 2-0 to win the U-13 title.
In the U-17 Girls category, Kwara United Queens secured the championship after a convincing 4-0 victory over Model Queens FC.
The results brought the 17th edition of the YSFON Commissioner of Police Cup to a colourful conclusion.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Kwara State Chapter, Mrs Aseri Adekimi Ojo, has urged parents to encourage their daughters to participate in sports as part of efforts to develop their talents, build confidence and secure a brighter future.
Mrs Ojo made the call at the closing ceremony of the 17th edition of the Kwara State Commissioner of Police Cup, organised by the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) in Ilorin.
She described the tournament as a laudable initiative, particularly for providing young people with opportunities to discover and develop their sporting talents while keeping them engaged in productive activities.
Mrs Ojo expressed delight over the inclusion of the female category, saying the participation of young girls in football would help them build confidence, discipline and valuable life skills.
She said sports could serve as an important platform for empowering the girl child, discovering talents at an early age and providing opportunities for young girls to pursue careers in sports.
According to her, initiatives that “catch them young” through grassroots football competitions would help guide young girls towards positive paths and protect them from negative influences.
She therefore, urged parents to remain close to their daughters, communicate with them regularly and encourage them to take advantage of opportunities in education, sports and other areas of personal development.
The wife of the Kwara state Commissioner of Police stressed that investing in the girl child was an investment in the future of the nation, noting that an empowered girl could grow into a productive woman capable of contributing meaningfully to society.
Mrs Ojo commended YSFON and the organisers of the CP Cup for introducing the female category and providing a platform for young girls to showcase their football talents alongside their male counterparts.
