Kwara state government will continue to upgrade and improve sporting facilities at the Kwara State Stadium Complex, the Executive Governor of the state, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq has said.
The Governor, who was at the stadium on Monday, to watch the Ileya boxing tournament tagged ‘Ileya Fury’ said his administration will continue to provide the enabling environment for sports to thrive in the state.
He commended the sponsor of the tournament, Barrister Ahmed Musa Rufai, who is also the Chairman of the Kwara State Boxing Association for his efforts, and expressed the hope that the Association will produce good boxers that will represent the state in the coming National Sports Festival.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Mogaji expressed appreciation to Barrister Musa for the drive to revive boxing in the state.
Magaji also appreciated the state Governor for providing the enabling environment and support to the Commission in the quest to take sports to enviable heights in the state.
In his comments while fielding questions from journalists during tournament, Barrister Musa explained that it was easy to key into the long standing exploits of the state in boxing in the drive to revive the sport in the state.
He hinted that he chose to go into boxing in the course to support and encourage his first son who took boxing and not football, which was his own sport.
He said he was encouraged to continue the sponsorship of the tournament as it has been producing talents who have been representing the state at various tournaments.
“Plans are underway to stage monthly boxing tournaments in the state which will be tagged ‘Governor AbdulRasaq Boxing tournament’ as the Association aims to discover more talents for the state”, he added.
Meanwhile the state boxing team swept most of the bouts staged as they won five out the twelve bouts featured.
Seven states participated in the one-day tournament which included Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Kano, Plateau states, host Kwara and FCT.
