Ogun state government has reaffirmed its determination to use sports as instrument to promote, empower and take youths away from criminal acts in an efforts to put them on the right track.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Waheed Odusile stated this while declaring open the 2021 Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN week in Abeokuta.

Alhaji Odusile who acknowledged the importance of sports towards building a virile society said the business of sports development should not be shouldered on government alone but a collective responsibility.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy who is also the chairman of the occasion stressed the need for the sports writers to embark on more developmental programmes that would assist the state in raising strong sportsmen and women from the untapped abundant resources across the state.

Alhaji Odusile encouraged the leadership of the association in the state to give priority to the capacity building of members apart from organizing competitions.

In a lecture entitled " Quality Registration Towards a Sustainable Sports Policy in Nigeria" the Speaker, Ogun state House of Assembly, Prince Olakunle Oluomo said implementation of the existing laws remained a challenge to achieve the desired results.

Prince Oluomo who was represented by Mr Kola Ishola reaffirmed the commitment of the 9th assembly to quality legislation that would enhance sports development in the state.

Earlier, The Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Ogun state Chapter, Alhaji Hakeem Akintunde had noted that appropriate legislation would enable the younger generation to participate in sports without fear.

Alhaji Akintunde gave the assurance that the association would not relent in its efforts to ensure development of sports in the state through regular interaction with stakeholders in the sector.