The NYSC Ondo State Coordinator, Mrs Ani has encouraged corps members to see participation in sports as a business that can take them to stardom.
The State Coordinator made the statement when she flagged off sporting activities for the 2021 Batch ‘B’ (Stream 1) corps members.
Mrs. Ani said that NYSC has become training ground where young, energetic and talented individuals are selected to represent Nigeria at international sporting competitions.
“Before you were born and in 1980 precisely, Adokiye Amiesimaka as a corps member was a member of the national team; Green Eagles that won gold at the finals of the African Cup of Nations played in Lagos in 1980”.
“Playing as a winger on the left of midfield, Adokiye Amiesimaka who equally played the soccer finals of the 1980 Summer Olympics was dreaded because of his pace and dribbling runs which were distinguished feature of his footballing career”.
Mrs. Ani said that like Adokiye Amiesimaka, many patriotic Nigerians in various sporting events, made Nigeria proud with their exploit and admonished the corps members to learn a lesson on patriotism and selfless service from these personalities.
The NYSC Ondo State boss said that the members of the service corps should use sports to build bridges of unity across the length and breadth of the country rather than identifying with one’s geopolitical zone or religion.
“It amuses me to discover that during sporting activities on camp, corps members rally round their team and encourage them with beautiful songs, dance steps, drums and trumpets. During this period, we don’t know who is from the West or East, North and South”.
She admonished the participating corps members not to see the competitions as a do or die affair but a platform to come together and celebrate themselves.
My dear children, sporting competitions on camp is arranged to relax your nerves after a very busy day and I want to admonish you not to see it as a must win so that you don’t injure yourselves. I am hopeful that some of you will be selected for Zonal preliminary of NYSC DG Sports and Cultural holding immediately after the camp.
In his welcome address, the Head of Sports, Mr. Olawuyi Lasisi assured the State Coordinator that with the pep talk given to the corps members during his address, there would not be casualties.
Mr. Lasisi thanked the State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani for the huge investment made for his Committee which saw the purchase of goal post and volleyball court nets.
The Head, Sports who is the Assistant Director/Head, Human Resource Management in the Secretariat promised to put to judicious use all the materials and equipment purchased for the sporting activities on camp.
The Coordinator thereafter performed the traditional kick-off of the Football and Volleyball competitions respectively.
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