By: Oyebola ADENUSI

Sports has been described as a veritable tool for curbing crimes, youth unrest, among other social vices in the society.

The Executive Chairman, Ikenne Local Government, Hon. Olusegun OGUNLEYE made this known on Wednesday, while declaring open the Ogun State Mind Games Festival, held at the council secretariat, Ikenne.

The council boss expressed his appreciation to the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo ABIODUN for the opportunity brought to the council's doorstep.

He said if youths are productively and intellectually engaged, their minds will be taken away from crimes and social vices.

He also thanked the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dr. Oluwadare KEHINDE for this laudable initiative aimed at discovering and nurturing budding talents in the state, in line with the ISEYA mantra of the Prince Dapo ABIODUN-led administration.

Corroborating the Chairman, the winner of the Chess competition, male category, Engr. Mudah KAWONISE, appreciated the Governor and the Commissioner, noting that it was the first time such sports initiative will be brought to their doorstep, as he was once denied the opportunity of participating in competition due to distance and lack of fund.

Speaking at the event, the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dr. Oluwadare KEHINDE said the aim of the competition is to discover grassroot talents and nurture them into both national and global space, particularly this year's National Sports Festival.

He added that the games is to ensure that the youths in the state have analytical mind.

"This competition is designed not just as a grassroot sports to discover budding talents in Chess, Draught and Ayo Olopon, but also as a way to ensure that Ogun youths have analytical mind and a well-defined and highly-sophisticated thought pattern that can unlock any hidden potential, he added".

On her part, the Director of Sports in the Ministry, Mrs. Iyabo ROTIMI, also described the competition as an avenue to discover raw talents in the state which will prepare them for national and international standard.

She thanked the local government Chairman and his Vice for their kind gesture, and for the warm reception accorded them.

She prayed that the programme will be a continuous one, that will help increase the skills of the youths.

Special Assistant to the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Wale SODEINDE, thanked everyone present at the event, and promised that there are lots of event lined up for the year in the state, as he encouraged the winners to keep the flag flying.

Winners in the male and female categories of the games were presented with cash prizes.