By: Adeolu Adeyemo – Osogbo.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke on Wednesday presented two new buses to the two state-owned football clubs, Osun United and Osun Babes, pledging to make a positive turnaround for the sporting sector in the state.
Speaking at the event in Osogbo, the governor also assured to restore the lost glory of the state in sporting activities.
Governor Adeleke, who expressed the prospect of football in driving economic growth and meaningfully engaging young people, said his administration will ensure that players are motivated to bring laurels for the state.
“I am a footballer,” Governor Adeleke told the crowd, adding that “I played for my school, Ede Muslim Grammar School; I played number 7. Segun Odegbami was my role model then,” the Governor told the jubilant sportsmen and women.
Governor Adeleke explained that he was surprised when he heard of the poor state of the sporting teams in the area of mobility, noting that he is passionately prepared to fully equip the sporting teams for better performances.
He assured the players of the state-owned football clubs that his administration will make them happy to deliver according to expectations, maintaining that his government’s commitment to sport development remains a priority.
“Our administration will make you happy so that you can keep moving forward. Sport is a big part of our plans. Our sports agenda will soon be fully unfolded,” he stressed.
“Sports will make Osun more popular. By the time the many incentives of our government materialises, you will be happy to play. Sports will become a major strength of our state. So tomorrow, to encourage you, I want all of us to go to the stadium and watch you play. I want to do the kick-off,” the State Governor concluded.
The Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, also commended the sportsmanship spirit of Governor Adeleke, reassuring the sport stakeholders in the state that one of their own is the Chief executive of the state.
While speaking, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, praised the Governor for acting promptly on the request for buses for the state football teams.
“Since we got the new bus, the teams have not lost a single match. They are in the lower division and played with teams in higher divisions and didn’t lose. With your support, we want to pilot them to the NFL,” the SSG noted.
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
