Ogun vows to maintain sports facilities, retain athletes

Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, Honourable Wasiu Isiaka, has assured that the state will put mechanisms in place to maintain the facilities provided for the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival.

He gave the assurance at a press conference held at the Media Centre of the MKO Abiola Sports Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Honourable Isiaka, who also serves as Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, said that due to the sensitivity of some of the facilities, the state would partner with professionals and the private sector for their management and upkeep.

The commissioner noted that the state cannot afford to let the facilities deteriorate, considering the huge amount of money spent on renovating old ones and constructing new ones.

“As of today, we have four stadia in Ogun State — two in Abeokuta, one in Ijebu-Ode, and one in Sagamu. Presently, we have upgraded two, even though the target was to upgrade five. At this point, the involvement of the public-private sector is very important.

“The government wants to get good value for the money spent, so I can assure you that none of the facilities will be allowed to decay,” he said.

On retaining athletes representing the Gateway State, Honourable Isiaka said that, having invested heavily in discovering and nurturing talent, the state will ensure they are not lured away by other states.

“The discovery of these athletes took a lot of time and effort. We have our own plans in place to keep and nurture them to stardom. We won’t allow anybody to lure them away,” Hon. Isiaka added.