Chief Adegboyega Adegoke, Executive Director, Finance, OES Energy Services, has called on all tiers of government in the country to develop grassroots sports as a way of curbing social vices among the youths.
He made the call while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan on Sunday after the Nigeria National League(NNL) Match Day 3 between 3SC and Osun United Football Club ended 3-O in favour of 3SC.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Adegoke, who was Chairman of the match, donated the sum of 3,000 dollars to 3SC as part of his contribution to the club’s upliftment.
Adegoke urged the government to invest more in local football and grassroots competitions, saying this would go a long way in reducing social vices among the youths in the country.
He described sports as a great tool for youth development and urged government at the local, state and federal levels in the country to allocate more funds to sports development.
“All tiers of government in the country need to invest more in grassroots sports. They should develop our local football clubs to get our youths engaged.
“When youths are fully engaged, they will have no time to commit crimes,” he said.
The Ibadan Chief expressed joy that 3SC, which he described as the pride of Ibadan, Oyo State and South West region defeated its baby state, Osun, in the match.
“I am happy that our team, 3SC, the pride of Ibadan, the pride of Oyo State, the pride of South West Geo-Political Zone secured victory over its baby state, Osun. It is clear to everybody that Osun state was created from Oyo State.
“3SC, as I said earlier, is a pride to every one of us here. In the past, 3SC made the country proud by winning many laurels for the state and the country as a whole.
“We all need to join hands to return the past glory of 3SC and ensure it returns to Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL).
“In my own little way, I give this 3,000 dollars to 3SC and I will continue to contribute my quota to the upliftment of the team,” he said.
Adegoke said that 3SC was not a product of any political party, but the glory and pride of the state, adding that sports are a unifying factor devoid of tribal or political affiliation.
He said that his foundation, Adegboyega Adegoke Resource Centre, had been much involved in youth development through vocational training.
He said the foundation had continually trained youths in several vocations such as candle and soap making, hairdressing, chalk making, tailoring and others, adding that some have graduated while others were still undergoing training.
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