Biodun Esan, Ilorin
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday presented cash awards to the parents of 2025 National Youth Games medalists to support the education of their children and wards for winning laurels for the state at the championship.
Governor AbdulRazaq said this at a reception in honour of the athletes who did the state proud at the 2025 NYG at the George Innih Stadium in Ilorin.
“We have asked the athletes to come with their parents because they are underage, they cannot handle money, and they cannot open an account yet.
“The parents will take care of the money, probably pay for their school fees, buy their school uniform, whatever, as a form of scholarship. That’s why the parents are here.
“Before this administration came in, Kwara used to be around 23, 19, but for the first one, we were seventh in the ladder, that was the one that held at the University of Ilorin.
“Also, the first time we went to Asaba, we moved from that seventh position to number six, and now we have moved from sixth position to fifth position,” the Governor said.
Represented by the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Coach Bolakale Adisa Mogaji, commended the athletes for improved performance at the last NYG, urging them to continue to make the state proud.
“We went with 26 different sports. Apart from these 26 different sports, only five sports did not have a medal at all. It has never happened.
“That means in about 21 or so sports, everybody had medals—the total amount for today’s incentive is over eight million naira.
“In fact, among all the states in the northern region, we are the only one that is competing seriously with all the south-south and southwest regions in Nigeria. So, we decided to give a token to their parents so that it can enhance their scholarship. That’s what we are doing today,” the Governor said.
The reception was attended by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Olayinka Fafoluyi; Permanent Members of the Commission, Alhaji Dele Abubakar (MON) representing Kwara Central and Hon. Abdullahi Yunusa Lade representing Kwara North; Director of Sports, Mallam Ibrahim Oladele Bako; Commission Secretary, Haruna Tsado, among others.
AbdulRazaq encouraged the athletes to continue to balance sporting excellence with academic growth, promising sustained efforts in both infrastructure and human capital development for sports development in the state.
“Parents should encourage their children to participate in sports. They should read their books, and at the same time, do a little bit of sport,” AbdulRazaq advised.
In his goodwill message, Fafoluyi encouraged the athletes to remain focused, disciplined and dedicated, promising that the AbdulRazaq-led administration would continue to support sports and youth development in the state.
Responding on behalf of the parents, Mr Abdulsalam Abdullah appreciated the Governor for giving recognition to the performance of their children to enhance the reputation of the state, pledging the continuous support of the parents to sports in the state.
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