…investments in Kwara United justified
Kwara Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq while feeding questions from journalists on Midland FM Thursday, November 3, 2022 highlighted some of his administration’s milestones and plans in the sports sector, noting that the sterling performance put up by Kwara United Football Club is owing to state’s investment in the sports sector.
The governor said the sports sector was met in a sorry state when his administration came on board but with aggressive investments and motivation, the status quo has begun to change.
“Starting with football, the state of football reminds me of how we met the state. We met Kwara United at the bottom, The lowest division. So the state too was basically relegated. Just within two seasons, we have taken Kwara United out of relegation. Not just premiership but to Continental Football. We were not reinventing the rule but we were just motivating people and Kwara United, doing the right thing with them. Giving them free hands to run football and allow them to showcase their talent with the right encouragement.
“They are playing the Continental Football. So we have taken them from the bottom to the top and that is what we are doing in the state. Taking every sector from the bottom to the top. The team is doing well and we will continue to support the team and also the academy.
He further revealed his plans to make Kwara State ‘home of Squash’ with the ongoing construction of 10 Squash courts inside the state owned stadium.
“It is not just football, We are looking at other sports, We are building arguably the biggest squash courts s in Nigeria. We had two squash courts. we are building 8 more courts, we have about 10 courts in there. And why are we building that number? From two squash courts s built in the stadium by George Inih to today, Kwara has dominated sports in Nigeria by winning tournament from age 10 and below to adult squash tournament. Every tournament you go to, you hear Kwaran names, either representing another states or Kwara. And what brought about this? Those two squash courts built by George Inih, That is where the dominance is. So, we are expanding to build a squash city. If we can dominate Nigeria with two squash courts, Certainly, we can dominate Africa and maybe the world with 10 squash courts.”
He also said the renovation of Swimming pool Table Tennis and Handball and Volleyball courts are testimonials of administration’s intent to revamp the sports industry.
“We are building new Table Tennis hall. And we look at these international players like Kasali Lasisi and others and make sure our youth get the right training. We are also renovating many parts of the stadium. The Handball, Swimming pool, Volleyball and all that. So, we will continue to invest in sports.
Governor AbdulRazaq gave assurance that his Midas touch in the sports sector will be extended to Offa.
“We are going to offa, Offa is the closest stadium, Offa Football Club, Narrowly missed out on the promotion to the premier league and I was there last night but unfortunately, they could not make it but next year, with the right motivation they will get promoted to the Premier League. Offa is well known across Nigeria for Volleyball and they have been Nigeria’s big Champions. So we will continue to support and create facilities for them.
He, however, stressed that investments in the sports sector take long process to yield, stating the end result is job creation for the youth.
“In terms of sports development, We are serious about it while we are looking forward to the National Sports Festival in a couple of months and making sure the first thing is to participate. We are not going to be champions of Nigeria overnight. Sports take a lot of investment, You are going to invest in sport before you get the product. Yes, we can top the chart, if we want by going to buy players from other states and making them represent kwara, But that is not what we want. It is creating an employment by other states buying our talents to represent them. That is what has been happening because there has not been right motivation of our sports men, Other states buy them, so while we play in other tournament, we meet kwarans playing for other states. There is nothing bad about that. It is part of employment creation.”
“We are incubating talent in Kwara for other state to showcase them. We will continue to develop sports, we will make sure we set up a sport commission,” he maintained.
