President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged athletes participating at the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival to compete with discipline and sportsmanship.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Chairman of National Sports Commission (NSC) Sheu Dikko, urged stakeholders to seize the opportunity of the event to build a lasting legacies for sports sector.
He stated this while declaring open the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival with theme :”Beyond oil, harnessing talents” open at the Uyo Township Stadium, Akwa Ibom.
The President noted that the event is not just a competition but a powerful tool for youth development, community engagement and economic growth.
According to him, “by investing in this initiative,Nigeria Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed their commitment to harness sports as a tool for sustainable development and building security across the Niger Delta region”.
In his remarks at the event, Governor Aiyedatiwa commended the management of the NDDC for putting the competition together, stressing that the initiative will go a long way in promoting grassroots Sports and engaging the youths of the region.
The Governor also thanked his Akwa Ibom State colleague for hosting the competition, describing the atmosphere at the venue as electrifying.
Governor Aiyedatiwa also took time to interact with members of the Ondo State contingent at the competition.
Adressing the athletes and coaches from the State, the Governor urged them to make Ondo proud by bringing home laurels.
Governor Aiyedatiwa also charged officials of the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development to take good care of the team throughout the competition.
Akwa Ibom Governor, Umo Basey Eno, appreciated NDDC and board members including the consultant for all they are doing to ensure that the event came to a reality with 3400 athletes.
Eno noted that the aim of the competition is in line with his agenda in sports development, saying his government deliberately separated sports ministry from youths ministry to ensure that special attention is given to sports development in the state.
“Akwa Ibom State is well positioned to do business host national events and I admonished the athletes to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship”, he said.
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