By Gbenga Adeleye
Chairman Ekiti State Sports Council, Hon. Mrs Olusola Osetoba has said there is still “More to Come” for kids who want to excel in the field of sports.
Hon. Mrs Osetoba made this known at a one day Kiddies Summer Sports Fun Fare program organized by the Sports Council and in collaboration with LEEBAF Foundation, UK at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.
The Kiddies Summer Sports Fun Fare program witnessed kids from within and outside Ado-Ekiti came together to participate in various sporting events.
According to the council chairman, the program was designed for kids to help them discover and nurture their dream’s in the field of sports.
“We want to build a sports culture in the State and part of our efforts to realizing this objectives is to start from these kids who want to take sports as a profession,” said Osetoba.
“Sports is a big business and we want these children to key into it along with their education. We had a careful study and we understand that the best time to come up with this program is this period were most of these kids are on summer holidays.
“Our target is to identify the sports these children are good at and help them build and nurture it to the highest level. The time is now and that is why we are not relenting in our efforts to get the new Mary Onyali, the Mikel John Obi and Olumide Oyedeji that will represent the State and the country as a whole in sporting events,” Osetoba enthused.
Osetoba stressed that engaging a kid in playing a sport any kind has immeasurable benefits than harm.
“sports help children develop physical skills, positive influence on academics, social development, respect protocol, diversion from anti-social activities,
learn teamwork, learn to play fair, and improve self-esteem and discipline. “We can go on-and-on to mention these benefits which are endless.
“Parents should take an active role in helping their child develop good sportsmanship,” the Emure-born astute sports administrator maintained.
Kids who participated were exposed to various sports (Track and Field, Gymnastics, Dart, Handball, Football, Volleyball and Basketball).
The event also witnessed competition in 100m, 200m, 400m and 4/400m race, side attraction shows and other mind blowing games which saw some kids went home with prizes ranging from writing materials, lunch pack basket, water bottles and pockets among other prizes.
Also at the program were commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Michael Awopetu, Ekiti State House of Assembly committee chairman on sports, Hon. Olatunji Joseph and Hon. Kolawole Owoseni, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports.
