By Kuti Dare

The Chairman Local Organising Committee (LOC) KWARA SPORTS ARENA award night, Mallam Yaradua Yahaya has urged Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq not to forget past sports heroes who made the state proud at previous international tournaments.

Mallam Yaradua Yahaya made the passionate appeal during the award night held at the Mandate Hall of Radio Kwara, Ilorin.

The former president of Kwara State All Star Club commended sports stakeholders for their immense contribution to the growth of sports in the state.

He said, “We urge the private sector and individuals to support KWARA SPORTS ARENA in the continuation of this award night and we hope his Excellency will continue to encourage athletes who are representing the state. And not to forget individuals and veterans who have made the state proud in various international tournaments including the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

“The main reason why we are organizing this award is to reward athletes, coaches and sports stakeholders in the state who have invested their time and resources into sports”.

“Some of these individuals did not wait for anyone to help them groom their athletes but went ahead to make the state and country proud”, he added.

He recounted some of the achievements of some associations in the last two years adding that the parameters for selecting the best athletes are the medals they won at National and international tournaments.

The ex football player said, “Our yardsticks and parameters for selecting the best athletes are the medals they won at National and international tournaments.

“Despite the postponement of the National Youth Games and National Sports Festival, some athletes attended various national championship.

“Your Excellency Sir, it will interest you that one of our cricket players went to the U19 World Cup last year. If you can recall, the handball team went to the National Division One League in Kaduna last year and won the title, they went ahead to win the 2020 Prudent Energy Handball League in Abuja in their debut season”.

He commended the Governor for honouring the invitation of KWARA SPORTS ARENA to the novelty match and the award night adding that the Governor would have played a vital role in the novelty match held last Sunday.

He said, “I want to thank everyone and the Government under the leadership of Governor Abdulrahman for the supports given to us for this ceremony to be a success.

“I am overwhelmed with the love shown by the athletes, coaches, sports administrators and government officials in ensuring that this award night becomes a reality.

“We kick started this award night program with a novelty match held at Kwara State Stadium this past Sunday where Team Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq played 1-1 draw with Team Kwara Sports Arena.

“The Governor’s team almost stole the show but Team Arena equalized in the dying minutes and I am sure if the Governor had played in the novelty match, he would have scored a hat trick”, he ended.