Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Wednesday in Abeokuta approved N10million for the development of Karate and Badminton in the state.
Amosun, who gave the approval at a meeting in his office, said that N5million would be used to prepare the best African Badminton player, Dorcas Adesokan, and her Karate counterpart, Bolanle Dauda, toward future competitions.
He said sports development remained the responsibility of all stakeholders, adding that it should not be left to goverernment alone.
“The sum of N5million is to be used for Adesokan’s preparation toward Tokyo 2020 Olympic games, N3.6million for the purchase of Badminton and Karate Mart and the sum of N1.5 million for Miss Dauda and other sports officials,” he said.
Reliving his days as a Karate athlete, Amosun advised the athletes not to rest on their oars in winning laurels for the state and Nigeria in general.
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The Vice Chairman, Badminton Association of Nigeria, Ogun Chapter, Mrs Adebayo Ikepo, said the provision of the Mart would go a long way in boosting the morale of the athletes and keeping them in shape for the upcoming Olympic Games.
She commended the governor for the first tranche of N5million and permanent employment for Adesokan, stressing that the second tranche would be judiciously used for the trip to Tokyo.
On his part, the Director of the State Sport Council, Mr Adesola Faleti, said the gesture was coming at a time when it was most needed.
The gesture, he added, would encourage other athletes to put in their best whenever they represent the state in any competition.
In their separate remarks, Adesokan and Dauda, expressed gratitude to the governor for his magnanimity which they said would further encourage them and other athletes to be hardworking and committed to their chosen sporting career.
They also pledged to do the state and country proud. (NAN)