Ekiti government has ordered the dissolution of boards of all sports associations in the state.
The directive is contained in a statement issued by acting Chairman of the State Sports Council, Mrs Olusola Osetoba, and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti.
The statement said, “I am directed to inform you that all boards of sporting associations in Ekiti stand dissolved from June 9.”
The statement said that the decision was taken to kick-start preparations for the 2022 National Sports Festival, scheduled for Delta and the next edition of National Youth Games in Ilorin, Kwara.
It added that the performances of the state athletes at the last National Sports Festival in Benin City, Edo, could be better if virile and active sporting associations were in place.
“Please be informed that new boards will be constituted, in line with government’s new thinking of aggressive sponsorship drive and discovery of talents,” the statement further said.
Meanwhile, some athletes have staged a protest against the dissolution of the sports associations by the state government.
The athletes, who spoke through Mr. Yusuf Ismaila, described the dissolution as ‘ill-advised, ill-timed and injurious to sports development.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protest was carried out at the entrance of Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti.
Ismaila said that the Chairman of Athletics Association had done enough to earn a place on the board of AFN.
“Ekiti Athletics Chairman has been at the forefront in the development of sports in the state for many years.
“Our chairman has single-handedly sponsored state athletes to many national and international competitions,” he said.
Addressing the athletes, Osetoba, however, explained that the dissolution was not done to spite anyone but to ensure sports development in the state. (NAN)
