The Chairman of Oyun Local Government, Engr. Kamar Akanbi Olanrewaju, has commended Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Mogaji, for their commitment to youth development through sports.

Akanbi described sports as a powerful tool for youth engagement, empowerment and talent development, noting that the state government’s investment in sports is providing young people across the state with opportunities to discover and develop their talents.

Speaking after the conclusion of the 8th Kwara State Sports Festival (KWAFEST) 2026, the Oyun Local Government Chairman highlighted the various sports initiatives of his administration, stressing that his Council has continued to place emphasis on discovering, nurturing and supporting young talents at the grassroots.

The Chairman was represented at the closing ceremony yesterday, Saturday August 29, 2026, by Bamidele Matthew, who is the Head of Department (HOD), Education, at the Council.

He said the Council’s participation in KWAFEST was part of its broader commitment to creating platforms where young athletes can showcase their abilities, gain competitive experience and potentially progress to higher levels of sporting careers.

Akanbi expressed appreciation to all the athletes and officials who represented Oyun Local Government at the festival, commending them for their dedication, discipline and determination throughout the competition.

He particularly praised the athletes for flying the flag of Oyun with pride and contributing to the impressive medal haul recorded by the council.

Oyun Local Government finished the 2026 festival in 8th position, winning 34 medals, comprising five gold, eight silver and 21 bronze medals.

The Chairman said the performance was a reflection of the commitment and hard work of the athletes, coaches, officials and all those who contributed to the council’s participation.

He also reiterated the commitment of his administration to continue supporting sports development and complementing the efforts of the state government in engaging young people meaningfully.

According to him, the Council would continue to explore opportunities to invest in grassroots sports, identify emerging talents and provide the necessary encouragement and support to enable them realise their potential.

Akanbi further congratulated the organisers of KWAFEST 2026 for providing a platform that brought together young athletes from across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state, describing the festival as an important initiative for strengthening grassroots sports development in Kwara.

He reaffirmed Oyun Local Government’s readiness to work with the Kwara State Government and the Sports Commission towards building a stronger and more sustainable sporting culture across the state.