The 21st National Sports Festival southwest zonal elimination ball game kicked off at the Lanreleke Sports Academy in Ileogbo, Osun State.
The event is a preliminary competition ahead national sports festival which would later hold in Asaba, Delta State December from November 28 to December 10 this year.
Contingents of young athletes and footballers from six Southwest states comprising Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Lagos and Ekiti are taking part in the tournament which features football, volleyball, basketball, handball and hockey games.
Addressing newsmen during the flag off ceremony for the competition, Chairman, local organising committee, Lekan Adeleke said the competition was designed as potent means to discover talents with a view to exposing them to wider opportunities in the career.
He said “We are delighted that all ball games of southwest zonal qualification of the National Sports Festival ‘tagged Delta 2022’, will be hosted at the Lanreleke Sports Academy in Ileogbo and Bowen University.
“It will be a beehive of activities here at the Lanreleke Sports facility in the next four days, as seven ball games will be hosted here.
“I want to express my sincere thanks to the Planning Committee members for their commitment as we showcase our facility to the world.
“Here at the Lanreleke Sports Academy, we are raising talents to become future champions. 58 students were offered admission in our maiden session, this year about 65 students have gained admission and they are all on full scholarships.
“The closing ceremony is billed for Bowen University, as the two institutions have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the area of academy and sports.”
Declaring the competition open, Osun state Commissioner for Youth and Sports development, Yemi Lawal urged the athletes and the officials to put in their best in order to have commendable outing at the national sports festival later this year.
Lawal said “”There are a lot of benefits the event will accord the State, economic boost of Ileogbo, showcasing the facilities within the state, as well as making friends among the participants.
“The organizers and officials must maintain fairness in their judgment as this is the only panacea through which the best teams (athletes) that will do the zone proud can be identified.”
Over 800 athletes from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti State will be participating in football, basketball, handball, volleyball, hockey, base/softball and beach volleyball.
Lanreleke Sports Academy is a co-educational, fully residential and specialist Senior Secondary School, which boost of a world-class sports facility was founded in 2021.
