Kwara State Social Investment Program, KWASSIP, on Monday, said that its 2024 program will capture more of state’s para- athletes as part of its plans to stimulate economic growth in the sporting sector.
This was disclosed by Dr Abdulwasiu Olayinka Tejidini, the General Manager, GM, when members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Kwara State Chapter executive committee paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Ilorin.
KWASSIP was set up in 2019 with the mandate to boost economic viability of the state, create youth employment through small and medium scale enterprises, SME, and provision of regular economic succor in form of palliatives for the most vulnerable in the society. In the past, the agency made conditional cash transfers to different categories of people.
The sports writers body had visited KWASSIP as part of its drive to bring in more partners into sports.
“We have always had accommodations for the physically challenged people.
“Within the little time I assumed here I remember that we have taken care of people in that category and we will like to continue on that note
“But since SWAN has made this appeal, I believe it is worth looking into especially given that sports is another way of lifting people socially and economically which is why Governor Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq created the agency in 2019.
Dr Tejidini said that it intends to liaise with the Kwara State Sports Commission on how best to come in to partner sports.
Earlier, Ayodeji Ismail, state chairman of SWAN had explained the purpose of the visit as part of the body’s role as stakeholders in bringing in willing partners into sports.
“With the strategic role play in social and economic re-engineering in the state, we expect to see you play more roles in sports considering the massive investment the governor has been making in the subsector.
Ismail extolled Governor Abdulrazaq’s effort in revamping and making sports viable in Kwara.
“We have the approval of over N2 Billion for the upgrade of indoor sports hall, there is also the investment on the state’s swimming pools; table tennis and squash court which currently touted as the best in West Africa,” he said.
The sports journalist enjoined the GM to make more of habit to visit home matches when home teams like Kwara United is playing.
“You can also buy tickets for fans as way of helping the club shore up revenue,” Ismail said.
Other members of the SWAN Executive body at the agency were Toyin Saheed, Vice Chairman, Sodiq Adebara, Assistant Secretary, Nusirat Popoola, Finance Secretary, Nicholas Uwerunonye treasurer, Mustafa Abubakar and Abdul Momoh, both Ex officio members.
