A chieftain of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo state, Engineer Seyi Makinde has described the lack of competitive sports among schools in the country as reasons for the dearth of athletes that can represent Nigeria in world sports.
Speaking at the Lagelu FM Secondary Schools’ relay tournament where about sixty secondary schools with 1,200 students participating, Engr. Makinde said Government policy on sports must be tailored towards getting athletes from young age that will effectively replace the older ones and can compete favourably with other athletes all over the world.
The two-day event which was hosted at the University of Ibadan Stadium, saw Brightville College, Ashi, Bodija, Ibadan emerging as overall winner, winning seven out of the nine races in the tournament.
Speaking further, Engr. Makinde said education and sports work hand in hand and if any government develops one, it would rob on the other and that is why Oyo State now has perennial poor performances in national examinations and cannot boast of stars in any track and field sports’ events.
He said he decided to contribute his own quota to lift Oyo state out of the cesspit by sponsoring the relay event organised by Lagelu FM and promised that he would also sponsor next year’s event based on his belief that a nation that develops his people in sport and education is a focused nation.
He advised participants, particularly students, not to cut corners and avoid taking performance enhancing drugs, which has ruined so many budding stars all around the world.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
