The Bayelsa government has tasked its athletes to conquer the nation in next year’s National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The acting Gov. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo said this during a meeting with coaches, athletes and staffers of the ministry of sports development 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.

Mr Ewhrudjakpo stressed that the state wants 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.

He urged the National Sports Commission to avoid unconventional practices in the collation of results from the various sports federations.

Mr Ewhrudjakpo acknowledged that the welfare of athletes remains the government”s utmost priority, adding that the prosperity administration is using sports as a vehicle to curb crime.

Responding to some requests, the acting governor said that a new bus would be provided for the sports council to execute their trips as well as equipment for the athletes to train.

He said that though the state is not where it ought to be in terms of facilities, sports infrastructure, the government is poised to complete the construction of a wrestling gymnasium.

Basketball courts at the St Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata and the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School (BDGS), Ovom in Yenagoa.

Mr Ewhrudjakpo, assured the athletes that the government would soon absorb those athletes that are employable to enable them earn salaries in place of stipends.

“There has been some improvement in your performance since 2020. We are particularly happy with your recent performances.

“But we actually 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 bus is not peculiar to you alone, even the state cultural troupes needs 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 providing facilities that you raised, we know we are not where we are supposed to be but we are moving towards the direction.

“As you are aware work has resumed at the wrestling gymnasium and we are also constructing a basketball court at BDGS and St Jude’s Girls Secondary, because our intention is to decentralise these facilities,” he said.

Earlier, the commissioner for sports development, Daniel Igali, appreciated the acting governor for the show of love, noting that Bayelsa’s success story would be incomplete without a mention of the acting governor’s supervision.

According to him, 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 said 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. 

(NAN)