Ilorin West emerged overall winner of the 7th Kwara state Sports Festival after hauling 23 gold, 24 silver, 21 bronze totalling 68 medals.
Asa came second with 20 gold, 21 silver and 31 bronze totalling 72 medals while Offa settled for the third position with 20 gold, 13 silver and 30 bronze totalling 53 medals.
Declaring the festival closed, the state governor Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said the festival is the beginning of a new dawn in sports development in Kwara state.
He commended the main organisers and the Ministry of Youths and Sports in making the festival a huge success.
He said the festival has provided the youths with an avenue to channel their energy towards productive endeavours.
The governor assured that next year’s event will be organised to surpass this year’s. He promised that government in the state will prioritise sports in the next budget adding that facilities in the stadium will be upgraded and renovated.
In his remark, the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare expressed satisfaction at the efforts of the state government in resuscitating the festival which he said is the future of sports development in Nigeria.
While commending the courage and commitment of the governor for bringing back the state festival after 15 years in the doldrums he said the federal government through the federal ministry of youth and sports development is ready to partner Kwara state government in the area of grassroots sports development.
In her speech, the commissioner for Youth and Sports, Miss Joana Inasua Kolo commended the governor for changing the face of sports in the state within his few months in office
The Commissioner said the governor delighted Kwarans by resuscitating the state Sports Festival which she said fosters friendship and unity among the people
She explained that by this action, the governor has demonstrated and convinced all of his love for sports and the youths.
Kolo appreciated the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare for gracing the festival adding that his presence added glamour to the festival.
A total of 1337 athletes participated in the festival.
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