Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Monday, 17th October 2021, specified that his administration will carry on with the development of Youths through sporting activities as a strategy to make the sport sector one of the revenue sources in Oyo State and Nigeria.

He indicated that the vision will be achieved through massive investment in sport development, as the remodeling and rehabilitation of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, other mini-stadia and training pitches in all zones of the State have begun to yield positive results.

Makinde, who stated these while receiving Oyo State-born table tennis star, Aruna Quadri, at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, applauded him for making the State and Nigeria proud.

Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, made a statement, quoting the governor as saying that Quadri’s achievements will always motivate other youths to get involved in sports, adding that the table tennis star is not only a gift to the state but also to the continent of Africa and the world.

Makinde said: “I welcome you, your wife and mother to the seat of government of Oyo State. Let me also congratulate Mama for the gift of Aruna Quadri not only to Oyo State and Nigeria, but to the continent of Africa and the world. May God continue to be with you, Ma.

“This is a good example of what we can do with the talents God gives us.

“For us, in the four main pillars of this administration, the last one, which is the expansion of our economy, taking as many of our youths off the streets, is actually working, as played out here and the government is not relenting. This is because we believe that some of the talents we can develop will not only serve as motivation to others but can also become big sources of revenue for the state and the country.

“It may be an appropriate time for me to mention that Sarah Adegoke, who won Gold for Oyo State in the last National Sports Festival, is now in Europe, Spain to be precise, to be taken over by a proper professional so that she can launch her professional career.

“We are also in the process of doing the same thing for Mubaraq. He is a 13-years-old and we are also sending him to Europe. I did this with personal funds, because we didn’t have any budget to support that.

“So, we will continue to encourage people like yourself who are breaking through nationally and internationally to come back to Oyo State and develop sports, and Oyo State will definitely partner with you so that we can do this in an organised manner, and also measure the result coming out of it.

“This is also a good opportunity for me to meet a superstar from Oyo State. Whatever we need to partner to support your effort, believe that we will definitely do it.”

Quadri, while speaking during the event, thanked the Governor for his commitment towards sport development, mentioning the remodeled Lekan Salami Stadium and other stadia in the state. He noted to be proud as an indigene of the state, he also encouraged youths to get involved in sporting activities to reduce crime rate.

He said: “I am very happy for this opportunity of meeting you, which I have been looking for, for more than 10 years. I will like to thank you for the good things you have been doing in the area of sports development in Oyo State – for example, the remodeled Lekan Salami Stadium. The new face of the stadium has never happened before. So, it is a great success during your time.

“Through the sport of table tennis, I have been able to make my family proud and put food on the table. I am very happy and proud to be an indigene of the state.

“Over the years, we have been supporting different kids from different parts of the country, especially the cadets and junior cadets. We have been able to donate some equipment to Oyo State table tennis players through the Sports Council here and some other parts of the zonal Sports Council.

“I thought of taking this to the higher level by giving back to the society in a very big way – I mean taking table tennis to schools, streets and encouraging our youths in order to reduce the crime rate.

“I want to share a very vital message that it is possible to combine education and sports. I also want to encourage youths on the street that through sports, they can have a better future rather than roaming about.”