Traditional rulers have urged sub-national governments to work more closely with the central government in promoting sports development, emphasizing that such collaboration would not only boost the sports industry but also create employment opportunities for millions of talented youths.
The Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba (Dr.) Adedokun Abolarin, Aroyinkeye I, made this appeal during his visit to the NTA Sports Channel at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. He was accompanied by Oba AbdulRaheem Oladele Adeoti Akolade Agboluaje, the Olomu of Omu-Aran in Kwara State, and Barrister Oguntayo Lateju Babatunde. The visit was to congratulate the station’s General Manager, Kayode Adeniyi, on his appointment by the NTA management.
Investing in Sports Infrastructure for Rural Talent Development
Speaking at the event, Oba Abolarin emphasized the need for adequate sports infrastructure in rural areas to harness the abundant sporting talent in the country.
“With serious investment in sports, we can dominate the world. Talents abound in our rural areas across different sports—Taekwondo, boxing, table tennis, tennis, golf, and sprinting. Yet, while people are searching for jobs, we overlook a natural solution. We have good administrators, but corruption remains the major problem,” he said.
Call for Regional Sports Festivals
In his remarks, Oba Agboluaje called for the organization of regional sports festivals to identify and nurture young athletes.
“At the sub-regional level, we can assemble young talents and pass knowledge to them. This means we have contributed to achieving a national goal. Progress may be slow, but we will get there,” he stated.
NTA Sports General Manager Emphasizes Grassroots Development
The General Manager of NTA Sports, Kayode Adeniyi, expressed his appreciation for the royal delegation’s visit and urged them to take an active role in grassroots sports development, describing it as the bedrock of Nigeria’s sporting success.
The visiting monarchs were later given a tour of the master control room and studio, where they commended the NTA management, led by Director-General Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, for establishing a dedicated television channel to promote sports in Nigeria.
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