Open letter to Governor Ayo Fayose Words by Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello

Dear Governor,
I am personally moved to write you this letter as the Elections, politicking and campaigns are over. It is back to business for your administration and I congratulate you on the impeachment plot escape.

Discussing the reasons behind my writing this letter, and to the best of my knowledge, you have given the Ekiti youths a lot of chance by getting them fully involved in your administration. It is high-time to delve into sports developments within the state.
I recall, few months ago at the NFF headquarters in Abuja, I had an altercation with the current Ekiti State FA Chairman over your utterances during the Presidential elections and also the general state of Sports in Ekiti State. He stood firmly in your defence and said you did right as a Governor. Oh well, its pointless to re-enact past issues.

I am using this day through this letter to implore to you on sports development in Ekiti State. The state is  lagging behind in active sports activities, in comparison to other states of the federation especially the South West. You seem to have totally forgotten about sports and recreational activities.

National sports festival is around the corner and obviously there seem not be any plan for Athletes in the State. Why Mr Governor? By doing this, talents will never be discovered, it won t help the growth of sports within the state either.

Ekiti state is widely known for brilliance in Academics, and sadly, thuggery/violence. It is a shame we cannot produce popular athletes within the state, as the state is blessed with talented Athletes. Mr Governor, please, bring good heads together and develop Sports by working with your people on the provision of adequate sporting facilities in every Senatorial district. Provide sufficient funds to move Ekiti State Sports ministry and the FA to greater heights.

What about swimming? A lot of young children swim well in the rivers around their localities. Please tap into these, get scouts to discover raw talents, and who says they cannot represent Nigeria at the Olympics and International competitions and become world champions?
Ekiti United FC, a football club in the National League is financially defunct, the officials and players have not received their pay in almost a year. Are you aware?
I also gathered that a passionate and generous indigene of the state who happens to be a woman is personally funding the football club because your administration did not release funds. Please, rise up to your responsibility and release funds. The club is a property of the State Government.

Sports is a tool to enhance peace and unity and can also be used to curb violence in the state. Your dispensation should use this tenure to promote sports and discover talents for the nation at large.

I implore you to build infrastructures increase the presence of Athletes and mandate the state to participate in National sports events. Organize sporting events to attract both local and foreign investors and tourists that have been running away from the state because of the high rates of violence.

I am calling out to you to do the needful, by helping Sports to be well and fully developed in the state.

I have written this letter in genuine concern for sports in Ekiti State. I remain apolitical with no personal stake, a bonafide Ekiti state Indigene who believes in the power of sports.

Thanks
Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello is a journalist, speaker, Change Agent, sports for development Enthusiast, and is interested in advocacy.

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