Last week, Sports Minister, Dare, led a delegation to Asaba, Delta State where Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was decorated with an award of honour in recognition of his tremendous efforts towards sports development in Nigeria as well as his support towards Team Nigeria’s preparations for the 2020 Olympics.
The Minister told journalists that the award was in affirmation of the role the Delta state government had always played to further sports development in Nigeria.
“The award is a symbolic award. It is a validation and recognition of his support to sports development, his support for talent hunts and our athletes. It is also very symbolic as we prepare for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. We will be going round to see other sports-loving Governors and give them similar awards in order to get them to spread the Olympics spirit and most importantly, to support Team Nigeria for the Olympics,” Dare stated.
Okowa is among the few state governors, who had repeatedly displayed their passions for sports in Nigeria.
From hosting several matches involving the Super Eagles, Governor Okowa equally proved his deep passion for sports by hosting Asaba 2018 Senior African Athletics Championship amongst other sports competitions staged in the state.
Okowa has always maintained that grassroots sports development holds the key to Nigeria’s future successes in sporting activities.
“We are done with Delta State Governor and our next move will be to decorate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State,” Olopade stated. “They have done a lot for our sports development.
“After Lagos and Ogun, we will move to other parts of the country to decorate other governors. It is not an easy task, but we will surely deliver what Team Nigeria will need to succeed in Tokyo,” he added.
As a way of leading by example, Olopade revealed that his company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited, had adopted two young athletes and would provide them support with the opportunity to reach their full potential. “We will stand with them every time they wear the green and white colours of Nigeria,” he stated.
