Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji has reiterated his commitment to sports development by exploring sporting activities in secondary schools as avenue to discover future stars.
This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Mrs Folakemi Olomojobi at the State finals of the 23rd nestle Milo basketball competition in Ado Ekiti.
The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Director of Schools in the ministry, Mr Yinka Agbeleye expressed delight that the competition which started three weeks ago has enabled government to discover talented students in secondary schools that would represent Ekiti State in the Western conference edition coming up on 30th May this year in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The PS. appreciated the state government for its interest in the schools sports, noting that the approval and financial assistance enjoyed from the government has helped in no small measure in discovering the talents exhibited by the students during the 3-week event.
Dr Folakemi Olomojobi who also echoed on the need for students to take their studies seriously, said that talents in sports would only go far with the support of education which they should see as primary assignment and main reason they are in school.
Also speaking, the Head Coach of the state basketball team, Mr Adetayo Awojurin expressed his gratitude to God and the management of Ekiti State Ministry of Education for the support enjoyed by according them the enabling environment to participate in the competition.
He reiterated that Ekiti state teams performed well in the 22nd edition last year and believed that the state teams would surpass their last year performance with adequate preparation from the coaching crew and the players.
The most valuable player in the female category, Miss Inalegwu Olekwu Miracle from Ado Grammar School expressed her gratitude to the organizers of the competition and the state government for deeming it fit to build their intellectual mind and harness their talents towards the direction of what appealed to them.
She said the government at the national and state levels should encourage more talents in the areas of sports development in order for them to measure up with their counterparts globally.
The Coach of Ado Grammar School team, Mr Ademilegun Kayode and his counterpart from Christ school, Mrs Ibrahim Motunrayo expressed delight over the victory recorded by their teams and opined that the two teams that would represent Ekiti state would bring pride to the State during the national competition.
The female category ended with 27 to 24 points in favor of Ado Grammar School while Christ School triumphed over Ado Grammar School to win in the male category.
By: Director Schools Sport