Members of the Board for the Ekiti State Sports Development Trust Fund have been inaugurated.
The inauguration which took place friday (November 12) at the Conference Hall , New Governor’s Office in Ado had in attendance the Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Mr Biodun Oyebanji who represented governor Kayode Fayemi , the Ekiiti State Head of Service, Mrs Peju Babafemi, chairman, Ekiti State Sports Council, Mrs Olusola Osetoba, Special Assistant to the governor on Sports, Mr Kola Owoseni mong other Sports stakeholders.
Inaugurating the committee headed by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Micheal Awopetu, the Ekiti State governor urged members to live above board and put interest of the State above personal interest.
He described the Sports development Trust Fund as a legal entity to complement government’s efforts in funding sports in all ramifications ranging from participation in sporting competitions, acquisition of sporting equipment and capacity building for athletes and coaches.
He urged members to explore means of attracting revenues towards sports development within the ambit of the law amidst probity, prudence and accountability.
He noted that the state government had placed premium on youth and sports development having realised the strength of sports in contributing to the social-economic growth of every state and country.
In his remarks shortly after the inauguration, the chairman of the Board, Ekiti State Sports Development Trust Fund, Mr Micheal Awopetu described the development as a milestone in the affairs of sports in Ekiti state.
He promised that the Board will expend the funds generated in accordance with the objectives of the Trust Fund and to ease the plights of sportsmen and women in the state.
Mr Awopetu who said the Sports Development Trust Fund was conceived in 2019 noted that it will fast track the advancement of sports and accelerate athletes discovery and capacity building.
He noted that the recent impressive performances of Ekiti Under 15 athletes at the 2021 National Youth Games in Ilorin, Kwara state was an affirmation of the state’s budding sportsmen and women to always represent the state well at all levels.
Members of the Board of Ekiti State Sports Development Trust Fund shortly after the inauguration converged for their inaugural meeting where vital information on how to effectively perform their expected duties were dished out by the chairman of the Board.
Other members of the Board are Mrs Funke Babalola, Mrs Tokunbo Jakande-Ajila, Mrs Titilayo Olayinka, Mr Toyin Akomolede, Mr Bamidele Arowosola, Mr Kunle Adeyemi, Mr Qozeem Oladapo.
Meanwhile, a member of the Ekiti State Athletes Association, Similoluwa Akongbasote has called on the state government not to forget its promise of financial rewards for medalists at the National Sports Festival in Edo state and other national and international sporting competitions.
