Special Assistant to Oyo State Governor on Sports Development, Honourable Tobi Oyewumi has said that Governor Seyi Makinde will slug it out against the Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka in an exhibition match at the opening ceremony of the GSM Tennis Championship slated to hold tomorrow, Tuesday, 22nd December 2020.
Oyewumi, having stated the intent of the Executive Governor of the state in empowering and developing the potentials of young people across the state, described Governor Seyi Makinde as a sports-loving Governor.
The Governor’s aide said this while fielding questions from newsmen at Ibadan Recreation Club, Sabo, Ibadan ahead of the maiden edition of the much anticipated GSM championship billed for 22nd to 24th December 2020.
The University of Ibadan Alumnus revealed that a total number of 112 participants registered for the competition, which has three categories with standard Prizes going to the Pro category.
“We have so far registered 112 participants for the three categories of the competitions, from Junior category to Pro category and Super Veterans, the veterans are not particularly about the cash whilst it’s expedient for the pro category players to engage more in a competition like this to aid their global ranking”
Speaking on the plans of the Government on developing sports in the state, the Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Sports Development said the present administration through the Ministry of Youths and Sports is ensuring that sporting events are held every month to engage youths in the state and to discover new talents. The position which has been earlier reiterated by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Oludeyi Oyadele
The astute administrator said the competition is not going to be a one-off thing but it has come to stay.
“The Governor plays tennis and it’s aimed at celebrating the sports-loving Governor of the state, Engineer Seyi Makinde and also to discover talents in the state that will represent the pacesetter state at National and International competitions”.
“We youths are restless, we want to be engaged, a young person that goes to training 4-5hrs won’t have time to commit crimes. I think a lot of vices can be curbed through proper sports development.”Oyewumi noted
The maiden edition of Governor Seyi Makinde, Tennis Championship, which is in three categories – Junior Category for children under Sixteen years, the Pro Category, and the Super Veteran Category, holds at the Ibadan Recreation Club, Sabo, from the 22nd to 24th December 2020.
Present at the news briefing were the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Oyadeyi Oludeyi, General Manager, Oyo State Sports Council, Mr. Gboyega Makinde, Director of Organisation, Mr. Kehinde Ojelowo, Chairman, Tennis Section of Ibadan Recreation Club, Mr. Olusesi and Chairman, Oyo state Tennis Association, Mr. Akin Orebiyi
