Kwara State government has restated its commitment to provide adequate sporting equipment at the State Stadium in Ilorin to encourage the youth to actively participate in Sports.

The State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Kale Ayo stated this on Monday in Ilorin while the executive of the State Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, paid a courtesy call on him.

Kale Ayo noted that greater attention would be placed on grassroots sports to discover and develop talents at that level. The Commissioner restated that the indoor sports hall would be renovated to attract national and international championships to the state.

He explained that government would be proactive in reorganizing and solving the problem of Kwara United Football Club to meet modern trends and gain promotion to the Premier League. Kale Ayo commended SWAN members for their support in the development of Sports in the State.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Elder Ayo Samuel noted that the government would plan towards organising a major championship next year.

Elder Ayo Samuel charged members of the Association to continue to project the image of the state adding that government would use sports to positively engage youth to reduce crime in the society and create employment.

Earlier, the State Chairman of SWAN, Bunmi Adedoyin called on the government to pay more attention to grassroots sports development, renovate the facilities at the Stadium among others and commence preparation for the Youth Games and the National Sports Festival.

Mr. Adedoyin charged government to give necessary assistance and support to teams in the state particularly Kwara United, ABS FC, Kwara Falcons Basketball team and the six teams playing in the Nationwide league. The SWAN Chairman urged the government to redeem its pledge to donate an eighteen seater bus to the association.