By Precious Oluwole

The Chairman, House Committee on Youths and Sports, Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Johnson Oguntodu has said that collaborative efforts among the stakeholders is an instrument to sports development.

He stated this during a familiarisation visit, alongside other committee members to the State Sports Council in Akure.

According to him, concerted effort must be taken to further encourage youths in sporting activities as this will reduce social vices as well as create employment.

He assured of legislative support to further make sports attractive to the Youths in the State through proper funding.

Other Members charged Management to always carried the Committee along to ensure collaborative effort in achieving the set goal.

Earlier, the General Manager of the Council,Mr Henry Babatunde who reeled out the activities and challenges to the Committee said it athletes are taking part in 29 sporting activities and have always participated in both national and international competitions and done the State proud.

Babatunde sought for the support of the Committee in accessing fund for infrastructural development as the facilities need facelift in the headquarter and zones.

He however informed that the State government has given approval for the renovation of Akure township Stadium, awarded and included in year 2023 budget but money has not been released probably due to paucity of fund.

According to him nobody can develop sports without sporting facilities while development of Youths also depends on sports which can accommodate up to 40 percent of them and redirect them from social vices.

He also pointed out that the state athletes that have represented the State well in both national and international competitions needs to be host and rewarded to further encourage them.

The Committee Members were later taken round the facilities at the stadium for assessment.