The Sports Writers in Ogun state have sought the support of the state House of Assembly to host the maiden edition of Speaker’s Cup among the 20 local government areas of the state.
The State SWAN Chairman, Alhaji Hakeem Akintunde disclosed this on Wednesday when the executive members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria paid a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Taiwo Oluomo.
Akintunde noted that the football competition once approved would be another success story of the 9th Assembly.
He commended the Assembly for passing the Sports Commission and Sports Trust Bill into law, saying the sports commission would help galvanize the sports sector of the state.
He noted that, the state would reclaim its lost glory and compete favourably among comity of states if the bills are assented by the State Governor.
“Mr. Speaker, let me on behalf of sports journalists in Ogun state to commend this House for passing the Sports Commission and Sports Trust Bills into law.
“The Bills if assented to by the executive will reposition the sporting sector of the state and return the lost glory of the state among compete with other states like Rivers, Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers and Lagos where they have sport commission.
“As critical stakeholder, we believe we should also be part of the sports development of the state and that is why we have decided to organize this football competition among the 20 local government areas of the state.
“Mr. Speaker, this competition is designed in a knockout way and it will be an annual event. It will not end with your leadership, it will be continuum. And it will be another achievement of the 9th Assembly because this is first of its kind in the country.
“We believe, with the approval of the House of Assembly, we will be able to discover new football talents for our darling Gateway United Football Club and the National Teams from the under age to the senior national teams.”
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Oluomo assured the sports writers of the Assembly’s support to organize a successful football competition.
Oluomo who relished his childhood days football activities in secondary school, noted that, the competition would be another platform to discover talents in the grassroots.
