Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun: Ajakaye promises to invest in grassroots sports

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency, Dr. Rafiu Ajakaye, has pledged to prioritize grassroots sports development and talent discovery across the constituency if elected to the House of Representatives.

Ajakaye said the constituency was blessed with talented youth who could excel in various sports disciplines if provided with adequate facilities, conducive environment and necessary support.

The former Immediate Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor made the promise while appearing on Kwara SWAN Sports Hard Talk on Monday at the Taiwo Awoniyi Sports Media Centre, George Innih Stadium Complex, Ilorin.

He explained that his proposed sports development agenda would cover football, table tennis, swimming, athletics and other sporting disciplines, and highlighted the need to look beyond football to identify and nurture young talent.

According to him, many talented athletes remain undiscovered due to a lack of opportunities and support, making grassroots investment essential to building a sustainable sports development system.

Ajakaye commended the Kwara State Government for renovating the Offa Stadium, describing the facility as a valuable asset that should be fully utilized to promote sports and discover emerging talents.

“I’m proud that His Excellency is doing fantastically in my own constituency, and that’s the renovation of the Offa Stadium for the first time in many years. I already see that as an advantage,” he said.

He pledged to work with the State Government to explore opportunities to expand and maximize the use of sporting facilities in Offa and other parts of the constituency.

The APC candidate also promised to support local governments to effectively participate in state sports festivals, noting that inadequate funding sometimes prevents some city councils from competing optimally.

He said his intervention, if elected, would provide young athletes with better opportunities to represent their communities and showcase their skills in sporting competitions.

Identifying the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) as a key stakeholder in achieving these goals, Ajakaye emphasized that his proposed sports program would focus on discovering and developing talents from the grassroots rather than solely focusing on established professional teams.

He further promised to work with the Kwara State Sports Commission to organize talent search programs across the constituency, providing opportunities to young athletes in football, table tennis, swimming and other sporting disciplines.

The journalist said grassroots sports organizers would play a crucial role in the initiative due to their understanding of local talents, existing challenges and the support needed to nurture promising athletes.

“These are guys who are basically grassroots. They know where the challenges are,” he said, promising to involve them in developing practical solutions to improve sports participation and athlete development.

He added that a well-structured grassroots sports program could create opportunities for economic empowerment, community development and the emergence of future sports stars among the electorate.

Ajakaye maintained that investing in young athletes and providing access to sports facilities would help establish a stronger foundation for sports development in Ifelodun, Offa and Oyun.