Motorsports have been described as a sport that can contribute to the growth and economy of Nigeria, if it is given a proper recognition, funding and support.
The Motorsports racer, Engineer Oluwafemi Olaoye revealed while featuring on a live Indigenous Yoruba show “Lori Papa” on Monday evening at Royal FM 95.1 Ilorin, anchored by Michael Odetunde.
Engr. Olaoye started Motorsports in 2021, noted that, talents are abound in the game of Motorsports in Nigeria, but it’s not taken serious as other notable sports, noting that those who have the talents are nursing their talents in secret.
We just started in Nigeria, I myself started 3 years ago, there are those who have the talents in Nigeria but we don’t value sports in Nigeria, some are nursing their talents in secret, they are just there enjoying what they believe God has given them, no platform for them to display their talents”
Kwara-born shared his believed that, in the future, the sports will be more expanded to meet with the levels of those in abroad like Lewis Hamilton and others, if they have a better organization and proper implementation in Nigeria.
“What I believe in the future this is something that can be very big, that can even expand to the levels of Lewis Hamilton and all of them doing it”
Olaoye a graduate of Chemical Engineering, who hails from Omu-Aran, Kwara State, highlighted that Motorsports will contribute a lot of foreign exchange, international recognition, rising of youths and creation of jobs by hosting international tournament in Nigeria.
“It’s a sport that brings a lot of money, like foreign exchange if we have international events and will bring people from different countries”
He cited that, FIFA Men’s U-20 World Cup and COJA in 1999 and 2003 respectively, hosted in the country increased the GDP and contributed to the economy of Nigeria, admitting that Motorsports can also pulled that if it’s given necessary support in terms of funding.
“Like COJA we hosted in 2023 and FIFA U-20, this kind of tournaments brings money and Motorsports can do the do the same, it brings a lot of foreign exchange”
Olaoye also said that, Nigeria can produce a racer like Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton in the future with proper development of their racers.
He further noted that, Motorsports is a team sports that have up to 57 crew members comprises of media, medical, chef team and others, and it is also learning process sports, which can be learn starting from age 12.
Engr Oluwafemi Olaoye also revealed that, X Kart Series 2024 Race have been held 3 times this year, and the 4th race was just concluded in Abeokuta on Saturday. He further revealed that, the race comprises of 10 teams competing, but 8 teams competed this year because other two couldn’t make it.
“We have 8 teams are currently competing but overall we have 10 teams, two teams couldn’t come for the last race”
Engineer Oluwafemi Olaoye however, concluded, X Kart Series 2024 is a nationwide events where states across the country competed and was concluded successfully on Saturday.
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