Lawamaker Laments Neglect Of Grassroots Sports

The Chairman of the Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Youths, Sports and Employment Generation, Olufemi Allen- Taylor has stated that Nigeria can only make meaningful development in sports if the country exploits the abundant talents in the grassroots.

The lawmaker, who represents Abeokuta South II Ogun State constituency disclosed  this during the grand finale of the maiden edition of the 2013 Allen Taylor Freshers’ Cup organised for the new intakes of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Ojere, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The tension-soaked final match was between the Business Administration Department and the Engineering Department who won with a lone goal.

Allen-Taylor, who sponsored the competition, urged governments at all levels to invest in the grassroots sports if Nigeria want to do well in the future international competitions.

According to him, “it is very, sad that despite the publicity of this competition, no official from the state’s Sport Council is here. This is the place where coaches can scout for young talents.”

The Rector of the institution, Architect Tokunbo Fowode thanked the lawmaker for his support and assured him that the institution would continue to embark on sports development programme to discover fresh talents for the state.

Fowode urged the students to shun any social vice that could dent the image of the institution and lauded them for the peaceful atmosphere enjoying in the institution.

—Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta