NYG: Winning medals at age-grade competitions, not the main focus of Ogun State – Sports Commissioner

The Ogun State Commissioner For Sports, Honourable Wasiu Isiaka, on Friday stated that the main goal of ‘Team Ogun’ at the 9th National Youth Games which ends today in Asaba, the Delta State capital is to identify talents for the State and the various national teams.
He stated that winning medals at young age competition is not the priority of the state but to discover and nurture future talents

The Commissioner who was elated by Team Ogun’s performance in the Games noted that four upcoming talents from the state were identified by the National Sports Commission and they will be nurtured by the Government.

He further added that the four athletes, from the state contingent have been selected to be part of NSC special training camp.

“We are satisfied with the result, but for us it’s not about winning medals, it’s the number of people we were able to release to the national team, that really is our own achievement,” he said.

Honourable Isiaka explained that sports development has been in the front burner of his administration since inception and through concerted efforts they have transformed the sporting landscape of the State.

In a bid to further develop sports in the state, he stated that the Sports Ministry will be partnering with primary and secondary schools to help discover and nurture talented athletes to represent the Gateway state and Nigeria.

He further explained that with this new partnership, Ogun State will be competing at the next National Youth Games, with very young and talented athletes.

“There are rooms for improvement and that is why we are bringing in NAPGAS, into the discovery stage, they are the ones in charge of primary school pupils, the athletes we discovered through our partnership will be nurtured to the next stage of their career and will represent the state, probably in the U-17 that is about to be introduced,” he stressed.

The Commissioner was full of praises for the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for providing the funds to turn sports around in the state.

“I would like to thank His Excellency, Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for his support towards sports. All the plans in place, our numerous achievements, could not have been possible without his total support, and his zeal, determination and belief in the Sports Ministry to develop sports in the state.”

“I want to say a big thank you, to the Governor and the good people of Ogun State for what we have been able to achieve in sports development. The Governor has always been there to support us anytime, any day,” he concluded.

TEAM OGUN MEDAL TABLE
4 Gold
9 Silver
18 Bronze
12th position