Date: 2017-05-13

Deputy Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Mathew Okedare has stated the need for parents and guardians to encourage their wards to engage in sporting activities in order to assist their physical and mental development.

Okedare stated this at the closing ceremony of the maiden Maigida U-15 football competition jointly sponsored by him and Hon. Mohammed Adebayo in collaboration with Moro Local Government Education Authority at Bode-Sadu on Thursday.

The deputy speaker who described sports as very necessary and important said the gesture is to discover talented youths in the area with a view to provide a platform that would secure their future and enable them grow academically.

Okedare explained that sports provides opportunities for the youths rather than engaging in nefarious activities that would at the long run ruin their lives and affect the society.

He stressed that the local government is blessed with people who have distinguished themselves at various capacities and have been great ambassadors of not only the Kwara State but the nation at large.

As a lawmaker, Okedare pledged that the House would not relent in enacting laws that would cater for the people's welfare and ensure that the society is safe for all and sundry.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Moro Local Government Education Authority, Mallam Busari Idris expressed his delight at the programme appreciated the legislators for their support towards the success of the football competition.

Idris commended all participating teams for displaying maturity and high level of discipline, noting that such programme would further assist them in the future.

8 teams that participated in the competition qualified from different zones in the local government with the Seventh Day Adventist Secondary school, Shao emerged victorious over Budo Oba Junior Secondary School through penalty shoot out on 5-4 scoreline.