Ogun State Governor,Dapo Abiodun has said that a Sports Trust Fund that would help in creating an enabling environment to tap from the multiplier effects of sporting activities would soon be set up in the State.
The State Governor, stated this when officials of the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, led by the President, Mr. Amaju Pinnik paid him a courtesy call in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
While addressing the delegation the Governor said sports, over time, has moved from pastime and an avenue for entertainment to a money generating venture.
“We are putting in place a Sports Trust Fund to create an enabling environment to engage and enjoy the multiplier effects of sporting activities. We are going to launch that very soon so that our sports have enough funding,” he noted.
The Governor, who described sports as a means of youth employment, opined that when they are kept busy, the rate of crime, gangsterism, drug abuse and other social vices committed by youth is reduced to the barest.
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Governor Abiodun said the State, over the years, has produced sports stars who have made the Nation proud in many international sporting activities, adding that the State is ready to partner the Nation’s football body to encourage football in the State.
He said his Administration is in the verge of creating the State Sports Commission to be headed by a renowned sport entrepreneur, just as some State stadia like the one at Ijebu-Ode have been rehabilitated to encourage sporting activities.
Speaking earlier, NFF President, Amaju Pinnik, lauded the Governor on his achievements in the last one year, saying he was in the State to prepare for the forthcoming General Assembly to be hosted by the State and the foundation laying of the sport house which would keep proper records of footballers in the Country.
