In preparation for the National Sports Festival (NSF), holding in January 2025, Ogun State government is planning to use a singular camp for all the athletes and coaches coming for the festival unlike in the past editions.
Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, made this known while playing host to the International Rotary Friendship Exchange Committee from Uganda in his office, noted that this would help in achieving the goals of the event.
Hon. Isiaka explained that the idea was to help foster unity, both at the state and national levels, saying the NSF, also known as the Nigerian Olympics, would engage young athletes in skill development and social responsibility, while also enhancing cultural and educational development.
The Commissioner appealed to the Rotary Club Committee, to collaborate with the state government in its quest to fully resuscitate the Gateway United Football Club, revealing that an international exposure for players of the club, during pre-season, would go a long way in helping the team gain promotion and subsequently help in retaining their status in the Nigerian Professional Football League.
Earlier, the team lead for the Committee and Past District Governor of District 9213, comprising Uganda and Tanzania, Rotarian Kenneth Mugisha, revealed that one of the areas of focus of organisation was the economic and community empowerment programmes, saying Rotary could do a lot through sports to support youths by bringing them together for a meaningful purpose.
While appreciating the government for the hospitality showed to them since arrival, Mugisha noted that Rotary International was willing to uplifting the lives of the less-privileged in the world.
“Rotary is welcoming more helping hands in community and societies, so every time we find someone who does what you are doing for the youth and sports in Ogun State, we want the honourable Commissioner to be a part of us. We are always looking at ways we can support these youths to become better citizens in the state and the country at large”, he said.
Contributing, the Past Assistant Governor and Chairman, Rotary Friendship Exchange Committee D9111, PAG Benedict Okhumale stated that Rotary is an organisation of business and professional persons coming together with their resources, time, talent, treasure and thinking, to put programmes and activities together, in order to create a better society, pointing out that Rotary Friendship Exchange was one of the numerous programmes to promote peace and unity among people.