By Odie Ramon, Yenagoa.
Bayelsa State government says it is 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, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made this known 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 Sports Complex, Yenagoa.
He noted that the meeting became imperative due to the success recorded in the last National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State, stressing that the state wants to consolidate on the previous achievements with early preparation of athletes
According to him, since 2020, the performance of athletes has 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.
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.
On facilities, he said though the state is not where it ought to be in terms of sports infrastructure, the government is poised to complete the construction of a wrestling gym and basketball courts at the St Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, and the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School (BDGS) Ovom in Yenagoa.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo assured the athletes that the government would soon absorb those athletes who are employable to enable them to earn salaries in place of stipends.
His words: “There has been some improvement in your performance since 2020. We are particularly happy with your recent performances. But we want you to do more and surpass what you achieved at the recent National Sports Festival.
“That is why we called for this meeting. For me, there is no better or perfect time than today for us to discuss the National Sports Festival and your challenges.
“The issue of the 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.
“We will do all we can to provide you with all the necessary equipment that you need. Your memo for equipment has already been sent to the governor, but we will look at the essence.
“On the issue of facilities that you raised, we know we are not where we are supposed to be, but we are moving in the right direction.
“As you are aware work has resumed at the wrestling gym and we are also constructing a basketball court at BDGS and St Jude’s Girls Secondary because we intend to decentralize these facilities”
Earlier in an address of welcome, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, appreciated the Acting Governor for the show of love, stressing that Bayelsa’s success story would be incomplete without a mention of the Acting Governor’s supervision.
According to Dr Igali, the meeting has further shown that the government would leave nothing to chance for the state to surpass the previous record of finishing second.
He asserted that the performance of the State athletes from 2020 to date speaks volumes 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.
