The Ogun State Governor, Prince DapoAbiodunhas again reiterated his administration’s resolve to involve the private sector in the development of sports in the State through a Sport Trust Fund.
Governor Abiodunmade this known at the first African edition of the 50 kilometre Value Jet International Association of Ultra-runners (IAU) African Championship Race, tagged Remo 2019, saying that funds from the trust fund would be private partner driven and autonomous.
“Government alone cannot fund sport; we are going to launch a Sports Trust Fund, which will be a fund that government will contribute to, but because this government is all about Public Private Partnership, our vision is to provide a focused and qualitative governance whilst creating an enabling environment for a Public Private Partnership’’, he stated.
The Governor hinted that the State Ministry of Youth and Sports would be divided into two, to accommodate the creation of Ogun State Sports Commission, adding that the Ministry would metamorphosed into the Ogun State Ministry of Youth.
“This is to underscore the importance of sports, because we found out that sports has not been able to achieve its potential because of these amalgamation; so, we will now have the Ogun State Sports Commission and I am proud to say that the Chairman of Value Jet, Mr.Kunle Soname, is going to be Chairman of the Commission’’, he said.
Abiodun pointed out that the Ultra Race had put the State on the world map, pledging his government’s commitment to continue promoting sport initiatives, as the evaluation carried out at the onset of the administration had started yielding positive result, with the rehabilitation of the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.
The Governor also used the occasion to commend the National Youth Service Corp Coordinator in the state, Mrs. Melinda Faniyi for taking good care of corps members posted to the state, noting that the government would not relent.
Speaking in an interview, former Nigerian athlete, Mrs.FalilatOgunkoya-Omotayo commended the state government and the sponsors of the event for hosting the first edition of the African Ultra-race in the State, adding that the present administration had shown that it was fully committed to the development of sports.
The 50 kilometer race saw ThobileMbopkwe from South Africa coming first, Prosper Mutwira from Zimbabwe came second and the third placed winner wasIliya Pam from Plateau State.
