By Femi Atolagbe

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Ondo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Mr Bamidele Ologun has said that plans are underway to organise state sports festival.

Ologun stated this while  speaking in Akure, the state capital.

The commissioner, who noted that the memo that effect had already been submitted at the state executive council,said as soon as it is approved,the programme would commence.

“We intend to have our state sports festival, we have the memo with the state executive council, as soon as it is passed,approved, trust us it’s going to kick-start.

“There are lots of talents out there, the only way you can get them is through all these programmes, I know Mr governor will approve it, I know the state executive will approve it,” he said.

Ologun noted that the state government had not forgotten about rewarding athletes that did the state proud in recent sport festivals,blaming the delay on Covid-19 pandemic that disrupted the world economy.

“On the award for the athletes, we had an issue, a global issue few years back, that has really affected the purse of the state, not just the state,the whole world,however, let me assure you that very soon, the governor will see to it.

“He is just trying to prioritise things ,he loves sport. He is supporting us, he is just saying, let us take it one step ahead of other,” he said.

Ologun also said that plans had been concluded to ensure that coaches at the Sports Council were trained and retrained so as to impart latest knowledge of already existing athletes and upcoming ones.

The commissioner noted that the state was also planning to employ about 1000 youths through public-private partnership, which would be devoid of politics.