The late former President of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) Alhaji Jamiu Babatunde Ojulari was on Wednesday remembered, as the body enters into partnership with an Ilorin-based Sports Consulting outfit, Kazolinks.
Late Ojulari, who was also honoured with a minute silence, was fondly remembered for the development of sports at the grassroots level in Nigeria and his dedication to move sporting activities to greater heights.
Late Ojulari died in September 2011.
In a bid to turn the tide of grassroots sports development in the country for good, the National Executive Council of YSFON appointed Kazolinks Sports Consult International Limited as one of it’s consultants.
Speaking during the event which held at M&M event centre in Ilorin, the National Secretary of YSFON, Patrick Okpavuerhe said the choice of Kazolinks was borne out of the desire of the voluntary non-profit sports organization to further strengthen it’s creed of promoting sports development.
Patrick noted that the organization which has been in existence for about 55 years after receiving the letter of partnership from Kazolinks decided to identify with the sports promotion and management outfit as they seek to harness potentials in all sports to the advantage of Nigerian athletes.
In his own remarks, the CEO of Kazolinks Sports Consult, Coach Tunde Kazeem who is the immediate past Director of Kwara State Sports Council noted that the purpose of the pact was to enter a mutual and beneficial relationship with YSFON in order to move sports at the grassroots to the highest level, while consolidating on the efforts of the latter as a long standing organisation in building youth.
Noting among many other things, he stated that the partnership will ensure the production of high profile athletes for National and international podium success through ‘Talent hunt’ initiatives while also creating a comprehensive data base for them.
The seasoned sports administrator who partnered with Ogbomoso 10km Road Race added that the new vista will also aid a robust marketing and sponsorship deals that will feed the bond sufficiently.
The Special Assistant on Youth and Sports development to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Attahiru Ibrahim who represented the Governor at the programme commended the choice of Kazolinks by YSFON, describing him as a man who knows and shows the way.
Among the dignitaries at the event were Alhaji Shehu Olushola, who represented the Commissioner for Youth and Sports development, an Olympian and former Commissioner for Sports in Kwara State, Hameed Adio, Dr. Steve Olarinoye, Director of Sports, Alarape Atanda and the President Nigeria Squash Racket Referees Association, Mallam Bola Magaji.
Others are former General Manager of Kwara United, Alhaji Haruna Ilerika Maigidasanma, Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abdulkadir, Kwara FA Chairman, represented by Hajia Segilola Alaya, YSFON National Welfare Officer, Alhaji Ahmed Abdallah, and host of others.
