Grassroots development is key to Kwara’s sporting success

The Kwara State branch of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria says it will follow the development of the 2025 Appropriation Bill with interest from relatives.

Specifically and of great concern to the association is the government’s 2025 budget expenditure that envisages the reconstruction of the Lafiagi and Offa stadiums which the Kwara government listed as priorities.

In a statement on Monday by Ismail Ayodeji, Chairman, Kwara SWAN, the move shows that the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration is willing to harness the youthful potential of the state.

“Kwara has consistently maintained fifth place at the National Youth Games, NYG, for the past two years, which shows that there is constant improvement in grassroots development.

“Kwara’s youth football ecosystem is about the most vibrant in the country with plenty of grassroots tournaments happening every month, including the Kiddies Cup.

“With two additional stadiums to support the one in Ilorin, the sky can only be the limit to what the state can contribute to the country’s sports industry,” Ayodeji said.

According to him, this is because robust grassroots development plans and execution make better use of the elite sport.

“That’s where the money and the return on investment is,” he added.

Ayodeji said on the part of SWAN, and through the support of Taiwo Awoniyi, the Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest striker, the association also built a sports media centre, specifically for sports branding and marketing of Kwara talents.

NAN

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