To support the development of football at the grassroots, Rep. Dapo Lam-Adesina (APC-Ibadan South East/North East Constituency) on Monday distributed sporting kits to 60 football teams across his constituency.
Lam-Adesina distributed the kits amidst fun fare at St. Luke’s College in Ibadan on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that among the items distributed were jerseys, boots, skin guards, hand gloves as well as balls.
NAN also reports that the event featured a novelty match between the football team of Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Oyo State and Omo Oloore Football Team.
Lam-Adesina told newsmen that the donation of the kits was part of his grassroots sports development initiatives.
“Let me also inform you that we are on the verge of completing the construction of a football pitch at Oke’badan High School here in our constituency.
” We are here today to distribute sporting kits to all the football teams across my constituency.
“Let me assure you that in a few weeks, we are starting sports competition among the primary and secondary schools in this constituency,” he said.
The lawmaker, who urged the teams to ensure that the kits were judiciously used, identified lack of infrastructural facilities as some of the challenges affecting grassroots sports development.
The lawmaker called on government to support grassroots sports, saying this would curb social vices and boost employment.
Speaking on the performance of the Super Eagles against Croatia, the lawmaker urged Nigerians not to write off the team, saying there was still opportunity for improvement.
“To me, we cannot write off the team, let’s see the next and the last match. I am still hoping, as a patriotic Nigerian, that Nigeria is still going to win the cup.
“I can tell you that in spite of the criticisms, all hope is not lost,” he said.
Mr Niyi Alebiosu, the State SWAN Chairman, lauded the lawmaker for his contributions to grassroots sports development.
Alebiosu urged other Nigerians to emulate the gesture in their various communities.
He also called on Nigerians to support the Super Eagles in spite of their performance against Croatia in Russia, saying all hope was not lost.
NAN reports that constituents in their hundreds commended the lawmaker for his laudable achievements so far and pledged their support to him for another term.(NAN)