•••Pledges Greater Support for Sports
Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to grassroots sports development, emphasizing the need to nurture young talents.
This assurance came during the official presentation of the overall trophy and medals won by Ondo Team at the maiden edition of the Basic Education School Sports (BESS) Competition held in Abuja.
The victorious team, comprising young athletes from basic schools in the state, clinched the top position among 36 states and the FCT, securing 31 medals, including nine gold, 15 silver, and seven bronze.
Speaking at the Government House Grounds during the event, Governor Aiyedatiwa praised the pupils, whom he described as “Lucky boys and girls,” for being exemplary ambassadors of Ondo State.
“You have written your names in gold and made Ondo State proud at the national level. This victory reflects the hard work, discipline, and determination of our young athletes and their coaches. We are committed to sustaining this success by providing the necessary support to catch them young and develop their potential,” Aiyedatiwa said.
The Governor also lauded the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (ODSUBEB) and its Chairman, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, for their effective management and dedication to the success of the team.
He noted that none of the athletes faced disqualification due to age cheating, a prevalent issue in the competition, which further affirmed the credibility of their achievement.
The Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Hon. Laolu Akindolire, highlighted the state government’s role in fostering an enabling environment for success.
“The Governor’s unwavering support for education and sports has been instrumental in this remarkable achievement. His passion for holistic child development is evident in the quality of our students’ performance,” Akindolire remarked.
Olabimtan also shared that the team had previously triumphed at the South-West regional version of the competition in Ado-Ekiti.
He expressed gratitude for the timely payment of matching grants that enabled the state to access funds for the preparation of the athletes.
Governor Aiyedatiwa assured the athletes, their handlers, and all stakeholders that the state government would duly reward their efforts at an appropriate time.
“Sports is vital in developing both the cognitive and psychomotor skills of our children. We will continue to invest in the future of our young talents,” he added.
The event underscored Ondo State’s commitment to excellence in education and sports, with the Governor emphasizing that the administration’s focus on youth development remains unwavering.
