L-R: Ogunsiji, Talabi, Gov Abiodun
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has promised to construct a befitting media centre to accommodate sports journalists coming to cover the National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games 2024”
Governor Abiodun gave the assurance during an on the spot assessment tour of facilities at the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja and MKO international stadium, Kuto Abeokuta.
This followed the request of the Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun State chapter, Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji.
Responding, governor Abiodun, who acknowledged the crucial roles of Sports Writers in the propagation of the sporting activities in the state, said the media centre is necessary to create a conductive atmosphere for journalists for further interactions with stakeholders during and after the events.
“It is commendable that we should have the media centre here and we will ensure that it is incorporated in the bills of the construction, just as we have media centre at Oke Mosan, we shall also have a befitting media centre here so that you and the rest of your team do not need to travel far for the festival and other sporting events at the stadium.”
Governor Abiodun, who was accompanied by top government functionaries, particularly the Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, expressed optimism that the stadium, when completed, would be ranked as the best and attract national and international events to the state.
He expressed satisfaction with the level of professionalism being demonstrated by the contractors handling the ongoing construction and renovation works across the major sporting facilities in the state.
Earlier, the SWAN Chairman, Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, said the construction of the media centre would avail journalists across the country to have access to data and information during and after the festival.
Ogunsiji told the governor that the media centre would outlive the National Sports Festival and serve as part of the legacy of the current administration in sports developments.
The SWAN Chairman noted that the provision of the media centre would make the stadium a complete sports hub with the construction of chalet for athletes and visitors.
He noted that the ongoing overhauling in the Sports sector of the state is a further testament that empowering the youths is not just a priority for the governor, but it is the cornerstone of the ISEYA agenda of the Governor.
He, however, commended the governor for taking a bold step in giving both Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja and MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.
