The Kwara State Government has charged traditional rulers to support the government in developing sporting activities at the grass root levels with a view to curbing social vices among the youths.

The state Commissioner for Water Resources, Barrister Abdulrazaq Akorede gave the charge in Iwo-Isin, Isin Local Government during the final match of the 35th edition of Aboyeji Volleyball competition held at Iwo Comprehensive High School, Iwo Isin. Community Secondary School, Oba-Isin came first in the competition, Oro Grammar School came second.

The programme also featured award of excellence on eminent personalities including Barrister Akorede; Commissioner for Industry and Solid Minerals Development, Otunba Taiwo Joseph and his Culture and Tourism counterpart, Hajia Iyabo Adewuyi; Bank of Agriculture, Iwo Isin branch Manager, Alhaji Abdulazeez Saka, Dr Omowumi Oloyede among others.

While describing sport as a unifying factor that binds people together irrespective of religious and ethnicity differences, he stressed the need for stakeholders to support the government in using sport to strengthen unity and peaceful co-existence in the country.

The commissioner observed that if sporting activities are developed particularly at the grass root levels, youths would be meaningfully engaged.

Barrister Akorede emphasized the need for traditional rulers, community development associations as well as individuals and corporate organizations to support government in promoting sporting events at the grassroots.

The commissioner commended the organizer of Aboyeji Volleyball competition for assisting the government in curbing social menace among the youths through sporting activities.

He described the honour given to him by the Aboyeji Volleyball Foundation as a great surprise and challenge and promised to sustain the good deeds and humanitarian services that facilitated his award.

He called on youths to be law abiding, hardworking, courageous, patience and attach great importance to communal effort to ensure a peaceful society. In his remark, the state commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Pharmacist Bolakale Ayo Nuhu said developing grassroots sports would go a long way in showcasing talented youths.

Represented by the state Director Sports, Coach Tunde Kazeem, the Commissioner commended traditional rulers in Isin for always supporting sporting events in the council and urged other traditional rulers to emulate them.

"Other traditional rulers should emulate communal efforts of traditional rulers in Isin who take active part in the sporting activities in their domain because developing grass root sports is one of the policy trust of the present administration”, he stated.

The organizer of the event, Chief Solomon Omoniyi Aboyeji said the programme was to develop secondary school students into active, strong, happy, healthy and energetic sportsmanship spirit. He said the awardees were honoured for their supportive roles to the sustenance of the Aboyeji Volleyball Foundation.

The Oniwo of Iwo-Isin, Oba Joshua Tunde Olutade among other traditional rulers in Isin Local Government were in attendance at the event.