The Kwara chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) says it will be watching the progress of the 2025 appropriation bill with kin interest.
Specifically and of major concern to the association is the government’s budget expenditure for 2025, envisaging the reconstruction of Lafiagi and Offa stadiums, which the Kwara government listed as priorities.
In a statement on Monday by Ismail Ayodeji, chairman, Kwara SWAN, the move shows that Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration is willing to tap into the youthful potential in the state.
“Kwara has consistently maintained fifth position at the National Youth Games, NYG, in the last two years which shows that there is a steady improvement in grassroots development.
“Kwara’s youth football ecosystem is about the most vibrant in the country with loads of grassroots tournaments happening every month, including the Kiddies Cup.
“With two additional stadiums to support the one in Ilorin, the sky can only be the limit for what the state can contribute to the country’s sports industry,” said Ayodeji.
According to him, this is because robust grassroots development plans and execution make for better elite sports exploitation.
“This is where the money and returns on investment lie,” he added.
Ayodeji said that on the part of SWAN, and through the support of Taiwo Awoniyi, Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest attacker, the association was also building a sports media center, specifically for sports branding and marketing of Kwara talents.