Sport

Ogun Tertiary Institutions Games Begins

By Web News 1177

All is set for the commencement of the fourth edition of the revived Gateway Tertiary Institution Games, GATIG, in Ogun State after 12 years.

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde made this known while speaking with journalists at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.

The Gateway Tertiary Institution Games, GATIG, is an avenue for students from various tertiary institutions in Ogun State to renew their friendships and rivalry in different sporting activities.

It is also designed to encourage the direction of youthful exuberance towards sports rather than engaging in cultism, prostitution, drug abuse and other social vices.

The game which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday at the Alake Sports Centre will see students competing for honours in seventeen games across three different venues in the state capital.

Addressing journalists, the Ogun State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde said the event would be used to discover raw talents among the students of tertiary institutions in Ogun State and assist them in honing their skills for national and global prominence. 

Dr. Kehinde restated the present administration’s determination to return the state to its glorious sports heritage.

The chairman, Main Organizing Committee, MOC, Prince Adetunji Onatolu said the rejuvenated GATIG would assist the state in its efforts towards the discovery of talents that would represent the state at the next National Sports Festival.

Also, the Director of Sports, Ogun State, Mrs. Iyabode Rotimi said the opening ceremony of the four-day event would be held at Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta with volleyball while the OOPL and the MKO stadium are other venues for the competition.

Speaking on behalf of the participating tertiary institutions, the Director of Sports, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Mr. Adeyemi Kehinde who was represented by the Principal Sports Coach of the institution, Mr. Dauda Saheed commended the efforts of the state government to revive the games, assuring the organizers of good conduct of the athletes through the period of the games.

Segun Folarin

Sport

Maiden Edition: Forty Athletes Jostle For Ten Thousand Dollars Cash Reward

By Web News 626

About forty elite athletes will jostle for the ten thousand dollars cash reward at the maiden edition of Ijebu heritage half marathon.
The event, described by organizers as an avenue to hunt for talents is expected to contribute to the socio economic status of Ijebu ode and Ogun State while engaging youths in sporting activities.
Speaking in Ijebu Ode at a conference with sports writers ahead of the race, the organizers said necessary arrangements had been put in place to ensure a hitch free race.
In a message to the conference, Governor Dapo Abiodun promised his administration’s readiness to collaborate with individuals, groups and corporate bodies on initiatives that would assist youth development across the state.
Governor Abiodun who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dr ‘Dare Kehinde described sports as a crucial tool to address youth restiveness and unemployment commended the local organising committee of Ijebu heritage half marathon 2021 for their efforts. 
In a remark, former commissioner for Youth and sports in Ogun state, Mr Bukola Olopade thanked the ogun state government as well as the organising committee for their commitment to ensure that the race achieved the desired results
Earlier, the Chairman local organising committee of the race, Mr Tunde  Odulaja and an Olympian, Mr Yusuf Alli, had expressed optimism that the race would impact positively on the participants and other stakeholders.
Olusegun Folarin

Sport

NSF 2022 Bid Committee Visits Ogun, Inspects Facilities

By Web News 1206

Ogun State Government says it is ready to host the 21st edition of the National Sports Festival, NSF.

Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dr Oluwadare Kehinde stated this during an inspection visit by the Evaluation Bid Committee team of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, who were in the State to assess sporting facilities available for hosting of the festival.

Conducting the committee round sporting facilities in Abeokuta, Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode, Dr Kehinde emphasized the state’s readiness to host the biennial sports competition in 2022, pointing out the present administration was passionate about sport development.

Speaking after the inspection, the chairman and leader of the committee, Mr Katmwan Dungse who described facilities available in Ogun State as a top-notch, said they had a better chance of hosting the festival in 2022.

Facilities inspected included MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta Sports Club, Alake Sports Center, Ijeja, June 12 Cultural Center, Kuto, Abeokuta Grammar School, Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu, NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Sagamu, and Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.

The winning bid to host the 21st National Sports Festival in 2022 would be announced at the closing ceremony of the 20th edition of the Festival, scheduled for Edo State in March 2020.

Olusegun Folarin