Kwara State Governor Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has pledged increased government support for grassroots sports development, saying sustained investment in youth sports can help reduce crime while improving the physical, mental and economic well-being of young people.

The governor made the commitment during the closing ceremony of the 17th Kwara State Commissioner of Police Cup, organised by the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) in Ilorin.

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Represented by the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Mogaji, AbdulRazaq said his administration would strengthen its sponsorship and active participation in future editions of the competition.

The governor stressed that keeping youths actively engaged in sports would provide a positive avenue for them to develop their abilities while keeping them away from criminal activities.

“Keeping young people actively engaged in sports would help reduce crime while promoting their physical, mental and economic well-being,” the governor said.

He also highlighted the importance of properly structured grassroots programmes in identifying talented athletes and creating pathways for them to secure professional contracts with major clubs.

Mogaji, who represented the governor at the event, commended YSFON for introducing the female category, describing sports as one of the strongest unifying forces across communities and cultures.

He said the inclusion of the women’s competition, now in its second year, demonstrates the importance of gender inclusivity in grassroots sports development.

Mogaji also praised Commissioner of Police CP Adekimi Ojo and the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) for their partnership and support towards the successful staging of the tournament.

On the field, Future Stars FA emerged champions of the U-17 Boys category after defeating Koller FC 3-2 in an entertaining final.

Future Stars completed a boys’ double after also defeating UNIPES FA 2-0 to claim the U-13 title.

In the U-17 Girls category, Kwara United Queens secured the championship with a convincing 4-0 victory over Model Queens FC.

The results brought the 17th edition of the YSFON Commissioner of Police Cup to a colourful conclusion, while reinforcing the growing importance of grassroots competitions in discovering and nurturing Nigeria’s next generation of sporting talents.

Former Super Eagles’ striker, Daniel Amokachi continues lending support in ongoing efforts to promote increased awareness about the need for proper attention to mental health, HIV, tuberculosis, personal hygiene and sexual activities among young girls, Sports247 reports.

The ex-international is supporting the lofty enlightenment campaign through his social development and human empowerment project in collaboration with Sports Bridge Foundation and Debriche Health Development Center (DHDC).

His latest effort was powered by officials of Daniel Amokachi Eduplus Foundation (DAEF) at the annual Sports Bridge Booth Camp, which focused on promoting physical well-being, emotional resilience, teamwork and healthy lifestyles among young female volleyball players.

Operating under the theme ‘Sports and Mental Health,’ the programme featured sessions on menstrual hygiene, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), HIV prevention, dangers of tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and reproductive rights.

Speaking during the programme, a member of DHDC, Dr. Omale Idoko stressed that abstinence remains the most effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, then advised young girls to seek medical attention if they notice unusual symptoms.

The participants were further educated on the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene and obtaining information about reproductive health, while facilitators from Daniel Amokachi Eduplus Foundation also engaged the athletes in an interactive sesssion under the theme ‘Real People, Real Talk.’

Amokachi had previously pledged at the outset of the venture that he will fully back the campaign for youth mental health through football following his appointment as a United Nations Football for the Goals Champion, which he referred to as a call to greater service.

While pointing out that it strengthened his resolve to use the power of sport to support young people across the world, Amokachi promised to always join policymakers and youth advocates to explore how sport can advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and improve mental health globally.

“Our foundation has already been doing a lot of work on youth mental health. Football provides a powerful platform to educate, inspire and support young people, both on and off the pitch.

“Now that I have been appointed a United Nations Football for the Goals Champion, I am looking forward to working closely with the UN to understand its programme and identify areas where we can contribute even more.

“As a champion, I remain committed to protecting the mental health of players and athletes as they build their careers and become responsible members of society,” Amokachi submitted.

Sports247 reports further that the most recent engagement followed the foundation’s participation in the United Nations initiative tagged ‘One World, One Game, One Goal: Football for Youth Mental Health,’ which noted the importance of using sports to promote disease prevention among young people.