Youths who are into sports have been advised to combine education with sports so that later in life they will have something to fall back on.

The Executive Chairman of Kwara State Sports Commissions, Mallam Bola Magaji gave the advice when Ex Basketball players who are in the state to organise a one- day Basketball tournament for secondary schools paid courtesy visit to his office on Tuesday.

Magaji commended the ex players for their efforts to develop the youths and coming
to give back the society.

He enjoined them not to relent in the efforts as they are helping to develop the sports in the state.

The ex players while responding implored the Commission to help inform the government to increase the subvension of Kwara Falcons Basketball team.

The final of the tournament which is being organised by the Ex players in conjunction with the Kwara state Basketball Association will come up by 4pm today.

Tobi Falana, an Italian based professional table tennis player, returned to Kwara state to serve those in need and share love.

Tobi, currently plays for Casamassima that just promoted to A1 Division in Bari, Italy and acknowledged that his sudden wealth of experienced has turned into a positive one and decided to use part of this wealth to give back and help their communities.

He grew up in playing table tennis in Ilorin and represented the state in several championship ,winning laurels and was privileged to ruffle feathers with the likes of Aruna Quadri, Segun Toriola, Olajide Omotayo and others.

” I recently lost my mom, having been away for four years, I have came for a condolence visit to my family an thought of giving back to the younger ones.

” I was privileged to meet with Aruna Quadri and his support encouraged me to indulge in this. I am very delighted to see my coaches, players and members of the State Sport Commission under a new leadership. Staying in Italy hasn’t been easy because of the language and other factors”, He Said.

Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Commission, Mallam Bola Mogaji in his response, was delighted with the development, saying its important to give to the society, urging others to learn from the Italian based player and described him as a pride of Kwara, Nigeria and Africa.

The representative of the state table tennis association, commended Falani for donating Tennis Equipments and appreciated the commission for its efforts in budding talents.

••• Organisers Commends Kwara Sport Commission, Basketball Association •••

Organisers of the Milo Nestle Secondary school basketball championship has said the Energy Food Drink of Future Champions has inspired the youth of Nigeria in sport to instil life values such as hard work, responsibility, fair play, discipline, perseverance, togetherness and team work.

National Coordinator of the competition, Col. Sam Ahmedu, a board member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, stated this during the tip off of the Central Conference Playoffs of the competition on Monday 16th May, 2022 in Ilorin, adding that the competition has been an avenue for youth engagement, integration and talent discovery with special recognition to Precious Achuwa, discovered in 2014, now playing for the Toronto Raptors and represented Nigeria at the Olympic games.

The President, FIBA Africa Zone III Commended Milo for its twenty two years of active tournament and affirmed that there will be value for time at the end of the Central Conference Playoffs in Ilorin.

During a courtesy visit to the Executive chairman of the Kwara Sport Commission, Coach Bola Mogaji, Col. Sam appreciated the support by the state Sport Commission an for its association with brains and hammers that would bring dividends to Sports, noting that Kwara occupies a strong hold in Nigeria Basketball which prompt the decision to push the championship to the state of Harmony.

Coach Bola Mogaji, in his response, maintained the Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq’s led government vision is to make Kwara a melting point for sports development while commending Milo for its commitments to Youth development.

He opined that his led commission will formulate policies and programmes to make life meaningful for sports men and women, investors and call on stakeholders to join his led administration in the quest to create a lasting legacy for Sports Project in the state.

Others at the visit were Monday Nelson, Vice President, Nigeria School Sport Federation, Alhaji Shola Sheu (Director, Kwara Sports Commission), Oladayo Oke (Official Milo Nestle), Bello Azeez (Secretary, Kwara State Basketball Association), Ahmed Adebayo (Head of School Sports, Kwara Sport Commission), and Bolaji Lawal.

The Indoor Hall of the Kwara Stadium, Ilorin is venue for the central Conference of the 22nd Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship with Schools from Nasarawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, FCT, Kwara, Niger, Benue and Plateau all participating.

Match Day 1 Results:

Boys Category

Niger 22-24 Benue
Kwara 27-19 Nasarawa

Girls Category

Sokoto 14-32 Nasarawa
Kwara 10-26 FCT
Benue 26-17 Kaduna

The Deputy Governor of Kwara State, Kayode Alabi said the newly appointed Chairman of Kwara State Sports Commission, Kayode Alabi will change the face of sports in the state.

Alabi stated this when Bola Mogaji visited him in his office on Tuesday.

He said the experience gathered by the astute sports administrators in the sports industry will be felt in the state.

Alabi revealed that the former National Squash Champion has what it takes to transform return the lost glory of the state.

He said, “I want to congratulate Bola Mogaji and other members of the commission on their new appointment. I strongly believe that Bola Mogaji can change the face of sports in the state.

“Bola Mogaji has excelled as a player, coach and sports administrator; his wealth of experience is tapped by the Nigeria Squash Federation and other states who have the interest of sports. His choice by the Governor is laudable, commendable and accepted by sports stakeholders.

“His experience was felt at the last National Sports Festival in Edo, he was present from the opening to the closing ceremony and Kwara state did excellently well”.

Responding, the newly appointed Chairman of Kwara State Sports Commission, Bola Mogaji promised not to disappoint the the governor and the sports community.

The Former Technical Director of Nigeria Squash Federation said his mission is to unearth talents hidden in the rural areas as well as create future champions.

He said, “I want to thank the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for finding me worth to pilot the affairs of the sports commission. This is a call to service and I promise not to disappoint the sports fraternity.

“I am a produce of grassroots program and my first mission will be to unearth talents in the rural areas who do not have access to sporting facilities and equipment.

“”It is my dream to see Kwara State dominate the sports world again and the vision to take back out place in the committee of states starts from today”