Thursday, 16 November 2023

UPLIFTMENT OF GATEWAY FOOTBALL CLUB TO PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE UNDERWAY

Plans are underway by the Ogun State Government to give necessary support to the Gateway United Football Club (GUFC), to gain promotion to the elite division of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).

Just as the present administration is willing to renovate the dilapidated Muda Lawal Stadium in Asero, Abeokuta, to enable it regain its sporting facility status.

Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka revealed this while playing hosts to the members of the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, led by its Chairman, Mr. Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, saying it is high time GUFC gained promotion to the professional league.

Hon. Isiaka opined that the move would give the Club the much needed pedigree, thereby aiding its marketing potentials, assuring that the State government would ensure that the GUFC achieves success in all ramifications.

He charged SWAN members to collaborate with Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration to revamp the Sports sector in the State, saying it has a multiplying effect on almost all sphere of human endeavour, such as youth development, agriculture, economic development and many more.

The Commissioner said, "The Governor has charged us to look into how we can run an effective Sports Ministry. His body language is positive towards the development of sports, that was why he created the Sports Development Ministry, to show that he is very interested in sports".

Earlier in his address, Mr. Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, pledged the support of the Association as partner in progress, calling for a Public-Private Partnership for GUFC, for better performance of the team, so as to gain promotion to NPFL, saying the government needs to work on developmental football in GUFC and other football academies to nurture young talents to global status.

While soliciting for the support of the State government on the renovation of the SWAN Secretariat, which he said would also serve as the Media Centre for the upcoming National Sports Festival, he pleaded with the Commissioner to resuscitate the Principals’ Cup, GATIG, Governor's Cup and other secondary school games, saying the competitions would help reduce cultism and other social vices in schools.

Ayobami Disu,

Press Officer, Ministry of Sports Development

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