The Ogun State Government has promised to ensure the return of the Governor’s Cup and Principals Cup competitions in a bid to discover talents among secondary school students in the state.
Governor Dapo Abiodun announced this on Sunday during the final of the third Value Jet/SWAN Security Cup competition held at the mainbowl of the MKO International Stadium, Abeokuta.
Abiodun, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka, noted that plans were on to ensure the development of sports in the state with the renovation of sporting facilities across the state.
He also pointed out that the state was also working to ensure Gateway United gained promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The Governor, who commended the initiative of the Sports Writer Association of Nigeria (SWAN) for staging the competition, which he noted had come stay in the state, said the government would continue to encourage other stakeholders in the sports industry to develop the sector in the state.
Earlier the Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, urged the Governor to take over the competition and provide yearly sponsorship.
Ogunsiji explained that the competition, aimed at fostering unity among security and safety agencies in the state, had remained a reference point in the southwest region of the country.
At the end of the final match, Nigeria Police defeated their archrivals Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps 6-5 on penalties after full-time ended goalless.
Police goalkeeper, Kehinde Ayobami, was the hero, saving two penalties, while the team’s captain Bola Isikalu converted the last penalty to give the Nigeria Police side the deserved victory.
The Nigerian Correctional Service won the bronze medal after Nigeria Customs Service failed to show up for their third-place match.
