By Isaac Afolabi,Tosin Aderibigbe
The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr Afiz Ogun, has reiterated the importance of sports as a veritable tool for youth empowerment, capable of channeling youthful energy away from social vices while providing opportunities for growth and stardom.
Dr Ogun made this known during a table tennis championship he sponsored in Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State, aimed at promoting unity, peace, and healthy engagement among youths in the community.
The venue of the championship, Mega Primary School, Ikare, witnessed a large turnout of youths, sports enthusiasts, and dignitaries who gathered to witness thrilling displays of talent, entertainment, and celebration.
Speaking on the prize structure, organizers disclosed that the winner of the competition would go home with a cash prize of one million naira, while the first runner-up would receive five hundred thousand naira.
The third-place winner would get two hundred and fifty thousand naira, while the fourth and fifth positions would each receive one hundred thousand naira.
Earlier, the Chairman of Akoko North-East Local Government, Alhaji Mohammed Olawale, while declaring the tournament open, commended Dr Afiz Ogun for the initiative and urged youths in the area to embrace peace and maintain good conduct in society.
In his remarks, the sponsor of the championship and Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, Dr Afiz Ogun, encouraged youths to remain law-abiding, engage in meaningful ventures, and avoid all forms of violence.
He assured them of his continued support for sports development, skills acquisition, and youth empowerment programmes. Dr Ogun also urged the youths to support governments at all levels and mobilize support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, youths have enjoyed greater inclusion in governance under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, while sports development has also received significant attention.
The championship was held under the theme: “You Too Can Be a Champion,” and sponsored by the Director-General and Chief Executive of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr Afiz Ogun.
Highlight of the championship was a table tennis novelty game between the ITF DG Dr Afiz Ogun and chairman Akoko North East local government Alhaji Mohammed Olawale which was won by the DG.