… Urges State Govts To Be Involved In Sports Devt
GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has called on different state governments to be involved in the development of sports to curb societal ills in the country. The governor made the call yesterday (24/10/18) in Asaba while declaring open the annual general assembly of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
According to the governor, “the more we get our youths to exert their energy in the appropriate direction, the better for us as a nation, sports unify the people, football is very unifying and all the states of the country should be involved in sports development and support the growth of football.”
He observed that crime and criminal activities hardly occur when there are sporting events, asserting, “we believe that we must direct the energy of our youths appropriately.”
While commending the NFF for choosing Stephen Keshi Stadium as the venue for football tournaments, Governor Okowa stated, “we are a very peaceful people, very caring and we look forward to your coming to Delta State particularly in bringing more competitions.” He lauded the NFF for believing in excellence by re-electing Mr Pinnick Amaju as its President, noting that Mr Amaju, a Deltan is passionate about football.
The governor also used the occasion to disclose that apart from his administration’s commitment to providing world-class sporting facilities, the Principals’ Cup have been revived for secondary school students while annual Headmaster’s Cup competition for pupils of all the primary schools in the state has also, been initiated for sporting talents to be discovered early, adding that plans have been concluded for athletics championships to be organised for schools to enable the state continuously maintain its leading roles in sports championship in the country.
PRESS UNIT
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, ASABA
OCTOBER 24, 2018
