Ogun State Ministry of Youth and Sports has inaugurated the Gateway Tertiary Institutions Games (GATIG) Committee with the mandate of discovering budding talents that would represent the state at various national competitions.
This was made known in a press statement jointly signed by Olugbenga Arowora and Dupe Odeniyi, Press Officers, Ministry of Youth and Sports and made available to sports writers in Abeokuta.
Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde, Commissioner for Youth and Sports while declaring open the inaugural meeting of the GATIG 2021 Committee in Abeokuta, said part of the five-point agenda of the Prince Dapo Abiodun administration was to engage youths in the sector, which necessitated the revival of the competition.
The commissioner noted there was need to curb social vices and create activities for the youth, especially at a time in the country when insecurity is on the increase.
He noted that creating sporting activities for the youths would in turn assist the state in discovering talents for future festivals.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Engr. Olayiwola Abiodun appreciated the Directors of Sports of Tertiary Institutions in the state for the large turnout at inauguration, saying that the competition would boost the image of the government in the minds of the youths.
In his remarks, the Chairman Technical Committee on Sports, Prince Tunji Onatolu enjoined the directors to see the competition as a means of showcasing talents that abound in the tertiary institutions, adding that the institutions had always been breeding ground for athletes.
Responding, director of sports, Crawford University, Igbesa, Mr. Taiwo Oyeneye said the reintroduction of the game was a welcome development, as it would be a good avenue to channel the energy of youths to good use and sustain it.
The committee is made up of members of the Technical Committee on Sports Revival and Directors of Sports of all tertiary institutions in the state.
