Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun says he remains unshaken in his commitment to developing sports in the state.

A statement by Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson to the governor, quoted Adeleke as giving the assurance when presenting two new buses to the management of the state-owned football clubs in Osogbo on Wednesday.

The governor said his administration would do everything possible to restore the state’s lost glory in sports.

Adeleke, who noted that sports, especially football, had the prospect of driving economic growth and engaging the youth meaningfully, said his administration would ensure that athletes were motivated to win laurels for the state.

“I am a footballer. I played for my school, Ede Muslim Grammar School, with jersey number 7. Segun Odegbami was my role model then,” he said.

The governor said the report that the clubs were constrained by finance and particularly transportation came to him as a rude shock.

“Our administration will make you happy so that you can keep moving forward. Sport is a big part of our plans. Our sports agenda will soon be fully unfolded.

“Sports will make Osun more popular. By the time the many incentives of our government materialises, you will be happy to play.

“Sports will become a major strength of our state. So, tomorrow, to encourage you, I want all of us to go to the stadium and watch you play. I want to do the kick-off,” he said.

The statement also said the deputy governor, Kola Adewusi, who was present at the event, commended the sportsmanship spirit of the governor, reassuring the sports stakeholders in the state that one of their own is the chief executive of the state.

(NAN)