Sports tourism took the centre stage over the weekend as Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and Michael Adeojo, frontline auto dealer, were honoured at the annual Ondo Auto Rally.
Lucky Ayedatiwa, deputy governor of Ondo, who represented Akeredolu at the on-road race that opened this year’s auto race, said the government was proud to associate with ingenious effort to expand the state’s tourism and would give the initiative an enabling environment to grow.
“Our government is open to all private and public efforts that will complement vision of the government and we are delighted that the Work and Play group has been consistent in this regard,” Ayedatiwa said.
On his part, Adeoye Ojuoko, president of the Work and Play group that championed the multi-sport engagement that comprised on-road, off road and bike races, said it was time sports became a huge part of domestic tourism.
“We have a purpose-built race track for off-road race in Ilara Imokin, which attracted a lot of car and bike enthusiasts this Easter. Our goal is to keep pivoting till its fit perfectly a major diary event for domestic tourism,” Ojuoko said.
The racers had visited Erin-Ijesha waterfall on their way to the event for which the Work and Play group boss said aimed at running for longer days.
“Our off-road track is nestled within the Smokin Hills Golf Course Resort which gives the participants opportunity to explore the course as players or campers. There is also the chance of exploring the beautiful lake on the course which has become a home to different species of migrating birds all year round,” he also said.
Argo Raak, winner of the 2020 Ondo Race, extended his dominance at the latest edition where he won both the on-road and off-road races.
The Estonian dumped the highly competitive line up of top racers that graced the on-road event in the six-lap race around Alagbaka government house in Akure.
“It feels good to be winner again and I thank Akure and the Work and Play team for the wonderful job of sustaining this show. I am also very appreciative of the support from the indigenes that are becoming more attuned to the sport. The government of Ondo State too has been very supportive and making us feel welcomed each time. This victory is for everybody,” Raak said.