Sports, panacea to youth restiveness – OSOPADEC boss
Sports, panacea to youth restiveness – OSOPADEC boss
By Femi Atolagbe
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The Chairman of Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC),Mr Gbenga Edema has said that the commission was developing sports in its mandate area to curb youth restiveness.
Edema stated this when the executive of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN),Ondo State chapter paid him a courtesy visit in Akure.
The chairman said that incidents of kidnapping and restiveness had reduced in the area because the present government was giving attention to issues affecting the people of the riverine area.
Edema said OSOPADEC FC does not have any player that was above 22 years of age, because the commission was focusing on catching young talents to have a prolonged career at the national level.
“We have a lot of youths that we manage, but to the glory of God, some years back now, we have not had issues of kidnapping in the area, it is because we decided to engage them in sports.
“It is not that they desire those things (restiveness), it is as a result of neglect, environmental problem and degradation over the years.
“But with the intervention through the amnesty programme and implementation of sporting activities under this government, they will soon be stars.
“That you (SWAN) are identifying things we are yet to achieve means we are doing it right. Our goal is not to win laurels, it is about developing the young people and pushing them to the next level.
“We don’t have players that are above 22,so our goal is to catch them young, soon we are proposing school sports competition amongst schools in the area,” he said.
Edema, however, used the occasion to promise the executive of the association in the state of a partnership that would engender development of sporting activities in the riverine areas and the commission in general.
He noted that it was the first time the commission would be hosting members of SWAN since inception.
The Chairman of SWAN in the State,Wahab Bankole applauded Edema for keying into sports as an avenue to develop youths in the area.
Bankole said the association was ready and committed to partnering the commission in promoting all sporting activities.