KADUNA – Iliya Ruga, chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the Youths Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), on Thursday charged the Kaduna state government to assist the federation in the promotion of grassroots sports in the state.
Ruga, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) in Kaduna, said the association needed sponsorships, to develop sports at the grassroots.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the state government, as well as private organisations to assist us with the sponsorship of our programmes, so that it will attract more athletes to sports at the grassroots.
“Kaduna State is known for producing athletes in sports; the state had produced athletes that have represented the country in numerous international events,’’ Ruga said.
He said that decline in sports development in the state can be attributed to lack of interest by the state government.
“There is no motivation by government towards the athletes in the state, as most of them are on contract and they were not even getting their salaries regularly,’’ Ruga said.
According to him, YSFON had trained different athletes in football and other sporting activities from the grassroots.
He said that the body needed the support of the government to enhance grassroots sports development in the state.
“Our association has been one of the oldest youth organizations in the country which was founded in 1963, but due to lack of funds, it is becoming rather inactive.
“There is hardly any famous footballer in this country that has not passed through our programme, either the U-10, U-15, U-17 or U-19.
“Currently, in the national U-17 Golden Eaglets, we have seven players and five in the Flying Eagles camp.
“Even in the recently-dissolved technical crew of the Super Eagles, Daniel Amokachi, was one of our products,’’ Ruga said.
He added that sports can be used as a tool for empowerment of the youth in the country. (NAN)