Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa inaugurated the newly renovated Bayelsa Table Tennis Association Training Hall at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa on Saturday.

Mr Diri lauded the association for developing table tennis in the state in the past five years.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said the government would support the association in achieving its aim ahead of the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun.

According to Mr Diri, Bayelsa’s target is to surpass the performance of the state in the 2024 sports festival held in Asaba.

Mr Diri said the chairman of the Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association, Ama-ebi Stow, had made his presence felt since he took charge of the association.

The governor described Mr Stow as a good example to youths and asserted that the chairman’s gesture would forever be remembered.

He said the government is satisfied with the rise of table tennis and would do everything possible for him to actualise his goal for the sport.

Mr Diri urged the chairman not to rest on his oars, adding that the state government was fully aware of his undiminished commitment in Bayelsa.

The Commissioner for Sports Development, Champion Daniel Igail, lauded the deputy governor for the smooth working relationship with the Ministry of Sports.

Mr Igail explained that the deputy governor’s thoroughness had made his job easy as a commissioner, stressing that the deputy governor paid attention to every detail.

(NAN)