Tertiary Institutions in Ogun state are competing for laurels at the revived 4th editions of the Gateway Tertiary Institutions Games GATIG, holding between 5th and 9th of October in Abeokuta, the state capital
The State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dr.Oluwadare Kehinde during a news conference on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta, announced the revival of the games whose third editions was last held in 2009 by the past Otunba Gbenga Daniel's administration
He said that the revival was a clear demonstration of the present Prince Dapo Abiodun's administration to return the state to its enviable position in sports in the comity of states in Nigeria
His words,"On my assumption to duty as the Honourable Commissioner for Youth & Sports, I promised our teeming youths that we will return our dear State to its enviable sports heritage amongst the comity of States in Nigeria. You will recall that the 3rd edition of this game was held in 2009 which was precisely 12 years ago. I am therefore extremely happy that we are gathering here tonight to flag off activities for the 4th edition holding between Tuesday 5th & Saturday 9th October, 2021. This is a testimony that the present administration under His Excellency, Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun MFR is resoute at returning our dear State to his glorious sports heritage".
According to him, "The whole idea of Sports is not just to engage in physical activities or fight for a common goal. A well-defined sports event like GATIG competition has been designed as a way to ensure that our tertiary school students develop the right mental, rational, emotional, physical, and psychological strength to build a great and eventful life"
The Comnissioner explained that the state would be using the games to discover raw talents amongst tertiary Institutions , nurture them to stardom and prepare such athletes to represent the state at major Competitions
" We hope to use this GATEWAY TERTIARY INSTITUTION GAMES to discover raw talents amongst the students of our tertiary institutions in Ogun State and assist them in horning their skills for national and global prominence.",he stated
He stressed that the present administration initiated a number of sporting events, including the Mind Game, South West Games and Transporter's Game, to further engage and empower youths through sports
" I am always proud to re-emphasize that Youth engagement and empowerment is one of the serious business of the administration of His Excellency, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun MFR. The ISEYA Agenda encapsulates series of sporting events and activities in ensuring that Ogun State takes the lead in sporting and innovative events in Nigeria. You will also recall that in the past few weeks, we have flagged off Games like, Mind Sports Games Festival which we have taken across some Local Government Areas in the State. The 2021 South West Games (SOWEGA) is presently ongoing, and in few weeks’ time, we will start the Ogun Transporters’ Game; which is first of its kind in Nigeria and indeed Africa while our Sporting Calendar continues with the National Youth Games in Ilorin, Kwara State later in the month",the commissioner emphasised.
He therefore urged the athletes from tertiary Institutions to participate fully at various sporting events while appreciating the efforts of members of the Central Working Committee and Directors of Sports of various tertiary Institutions for ensuring the resuscitation of the games after 12 years
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Technical Committee for the games and former Director of Sports, Prince Tunji Onatolu listed the schools who arrived earlier for games, to include the Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun-Ijebu-Ode, Tai Solarin College of Education, Omu-Ijebu (now Sikiru Adetona College of Science and Technology, Abraham Adesanya ICT Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo and Ogun State College of Health Technology, Ilese-Ijebu
He added that more Institutions would join the games as the events continue
Similarly, the State Director of Sports, Mrs. Iyabode Rotimi revealed that the games would feature 17 events including abula, athletics, football, handball, volleyball, basketball, badminton, table tennis, chess, squash amongst others
She said that the various events would hold at the Alake Sports Complex Ijeja in Abeokuta and MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta-South
Speaking on behalf of the participating tertiary Institutions, the Director of Sports for the Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Adeyemi Kehinde represented by the Principal Sports Coach of the university,Dauda Aliu Saheed, appreciated the efforts of the State Government at reviving the games, assuring the organizers of good conduct of the athletes through out the period of the games
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