Date: 2013-03-02

Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara said on Thursday that the state would create community sports development centres in each of the three Senatorial Districts of the state.

Ahmed disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the maiden Kwara All Secondary Schools Athletics Championship in Ilorin.

According to him, the aspiration in this regard is to discover talented young sportsmen and women who could be nurtured to excellence through first class training and coaching.

Represented by Hajia Rahmat Adeshina-Abaya, the governor noted that the championship would no doubt contribute to grassroots sports development in the state.

"The new focus of sports development is founded on the principles of community sports development through the provision of standard sports facilities right from the grassroots level.

"This strategy explains our decision to establish sports and community sports development centres in each of the three Senatorial Districts in the state," Ahmed said.

He explained that youth empowerment was one of the strategies for delivering effective governance, hence his administration regarded sports development as a critical ingredient for meaningful youth development despite the funding challenges confronted with.

He applauded the sponsor of the championship, Mr Tunde Abdulkareem, calling on other corporate bodies and well-to-do individuals to emulate him and partner with government to promote and develop sports through complimentary means.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 47 schools across the state participated in the three-day event, while about four para-military formations took place in the invitation relay. (NAN)