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…Commends Gov. AbdulRazaq for Prioritising Sports Development
As Nigeria celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Coach Bolakale
Mogaji, has called for increased investment in grassroots sports development and modern training technology to restore the country’s sporting glory.
Speaking with Radio Nigeria, Coach Mogaji said Nigeria has a rich sporting history and has produced athletes who have distinguished themselves internationally.
He stressed, however, that the country must return to basics by developing talent at the primary and secondary school levels.
“Facilities must start from the roots. Primary school sports are dead, and secondary schools are half-dead. If you don’t build athletes from the primary and secondary levels, it becomes very difficult to start training them when they get to the university.”
Coach Mogaji also expressed concerns over Nigeria’s reliance on foreign-developed football talents, calling for greater emphasis on home-grown players.
“Ninety-nine point nine per cent of the players representing us in football are not home-grown; they are imported players.”
The Kwara Sports Commission chairman also advocated the use of computerized training techniques, modern equipment and sports science in preparing Nigerian athletes for international competitions.
Speaking on sports development in Kwara State, Mogaji said the establishment of the Kwara State Sports Commission had helped to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and improve the state’s performance at national competitions.
He noted that Kwara has recorded significant progress at the National Youth Games and National Sports Festival, with several sports associations winning medals at major competitions.
Coach Mogaji commended the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for supporting sports development in the state.
He called on sports administrators to ensure that competent personnel are placed in appropriate positions and that resources are properly channelled towards grassroots development.
The Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission stressed that sustained investment in facilities, coaching, technology and youth development remains critical to producing the next generation of Nigerian sporting stars.
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