Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan
Oyo State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), will on Monday honour Governor Abiola Ajimobi, as the Grand Patron of the association.
The association in a statement issued by its Chairman, Mr. Niyi Alebiosu, and the
Secretary, Mr. Adewale Tijani, respectively, said the investiture will hold at the Governors' Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.
Alebiosu while explaining why the governor was appointed as the Grand Patron of the association, said he deserved the honour because of his innovation in sports and his administration's unprecedented steps developing sustainable super structures for the development of sports in the state, in spite of financial obstacles limiting the capability of the state government.
According to him, administration created a unique and conducive avenue for football fans in the state to enjoy the thrills and frills of the 2019 World Cup held in Russia with the establishment of a large viewing centre, first of its kind at the Lekan Salami Stadium, where fans watched all the games of the mundial.
He said, "Governor Ajimobi, through the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Yomi Oke, gave us the pleasure to watch all the World Cup games free of charge in a very conducive atmosphere befitting VIPs."
He added that the governor also approved the renovation of the Lekan Salami Stadium which has been in a state of disrepair for a very long time, stating that the investiture is the association's way of appreciating his contributions and to also motivate him for greater support for sports development in the state.
"This is our own little way of appreciating and spurring on His Excellency to do more for sports in the state. We want Governor Ajimobi to return Oyo State to its former status of a sports friendly state", he stated.