The successful hosting of the Aketi Bowl 1 of the NSSFFL season 2 at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure, has birthed sports development partnership between Ondo State and Lagos State.
Such sports development partnership is with a view to discovering hundreds of talents from both States and making sports a means of engagement, development, self reliance and source of livelihood for the youths.
At the maiden meeting to kickstart arrangements on the partnership that promises to benefit hundreds of athletes from both States; the Ondo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Bamidele Ologunloluwa represented Ondo State while Mr. Sola Aiyepeku, the Executive Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, represented Lagos State, alongside other sports technicians from both States.
Speaking at the meeting, Ologunloluwa expresses optimism about the partnership and equally reiterates the readiness of the sports loving Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN CON, to give maximum support for the partnership to achieve its goals.
“The Sports Development Initiative is a laudable one that would help discover and develop talents in the states. We are ready to collaborate because any initiative that would bring development to the Youths of our state is always welcomed by us.”
Also expressing the readiness of the Lagos State Government for a robust sports developmental partnership with Ondo State at the meeting, Aiyepeku commends the Ondo-Lagos Sports Development Partnership Initiative as one coming to life at the right time.
In his words: “The Ondo-Lagos Sports Development is a forward thinking development that would help promote interstate competitions and equally necessitate regular sporting activities for the talented youths of the states. Both states stand to benefit mutually from this laudable initiative,” he added.
The meeting raises hopes and sets efforts in top gear for the hosting of interstate competitions in various track and field games and other individual sports in a couple of weeks.
