Bayelsa State government says it’s working round the clock for the state athletes to conquer the nation in next year’s National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The Acting Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo gave the assurance during a meeting with coaches, athletes and staffers of the Ministry of Sports Development and the Sports Council at the indoor hall of the Samson Siasia stadium, Yenagoa.
He noted that the meeting became imperative due to the success recorded in the last National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State, stating that the state want to consolidate on the previous achievements with early preparation of athletes
According to him, since 2020 the performance of athletes have witnessed improvement due to the dedication of athletes and coaches in the state, urging the National Sports commission to avoid unconventional practices in the collation of results from the various sports federations.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo acknowledged that the welfare of athletes remains the government”s utmost priority, stressing that the prosperity administration is using sports as a vehicle to curb crime and criminality in the State.
He asserted that the performance of the State athletes from 2020 to date speaks volume of their determination, describing the meeting as a perfect time to discuss the national sports festival, pointing out that the government is aware of their challenges.
Responding to requests, the acting governor stated that a new bus would be provided for the sports council to execute their trips as well as equipment for the athletes to train with.
On facilities, he said though the state is not where it ought to be, it will gradually move to the destination with the construction of a wrestling gym and basketball courts at the St Jude Girls Secondary and the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School BDGS in Yenagoa.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, assured the athletes that the government would soon absorb those athletes that are employable rather than giving them stipends.
His words: “The issue of bus is not peculiar to you alone, even the state cultural troupes need a bus, so when the governor returns he will address those issues because they are necessities for your job” he stated.
“We will do all we can to provide you all the necessary equipment that you need, your memo for equipment has already been sent to the governor, but we will look at the essences”.
“On the issue of facilities that you raised as we are not we are supposed to be but we are moving towards the direction, as you aware work has resumed again at wrestling gym and also constructing basketball court at BDGS and St Jude Girls Secondary, because our intention is to decentralized these facilities”
Earlier in an address of welcome commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali appreciated the acting governor for the show of love, stressing that Bayelsa success story would be incomplete without the acting governor’s supervision.
He explained that the meeting has further shown that the government would leave nothing to chance for the state to surpass the previous record in Asaba.
Director of Sports, Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi who described the day as special, noted that the meeting would spur the athletes to give their very best in the National Sports Festival, and that the visit has solved many problems ahead of the competition..
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