*Inaugurates State-Of-The-Art Table Tennis Facility
*Charges State NSF Contingent On Podium Finish
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has announced cash gifts for wrestlers from the state in the Nigerian team to the recent Under-20 African championship in Morocco.
Governor Diri, who received the young wrestlers on Wednesday inside the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa, rewarded gold medalists with N2 million, N1 million for silver medalist and N700,000 for the bronze winner while the coach of the female team, Oyeins Tangi, got N2.5 million.
The female medalists were Mercy Genesis (Gold 50kg), Ebi Biogos (Gold 72kg), Ebipatei Mughenbifa (Gold 65kg) and Hannah Reuben (Gold 68kg).
The male wrestlers were Stephen Izolo (Gold 65kg), Newlife Ebikeme (Silver 92kg) and Andrew Ebierilayefa (Bronze 74kg).
The governor said by their achievements, they made both Bayelsa and Nigeria proud, and urged them not to rest on their laurels but to strive for more success.
While assuring that the government will continue to support state athletes, he expressed delight that younger wrestlers were being groomed to step into the shoes of the likes of Olympic silver medallist, Blessing Oborududu.
The state’s helmsman called on Bayelsa youths to emulate the wrestlers by choosing a path that brings success and honour rather than getting involved in cultism.
Presenting the wrestlers and a trophy won by the female team for the 14th time, the Commissioner for Sports, Dr. Daniel Igali, commended the governor for his continuous support and encouragement to the state’s sportsmen and women.
Governor Diri, also on Wednesday, inaugurated an ultra modern table tennis facility built by chairman of the state table tennis association, Mr. Amaebi Stow.
He described the facility located in the Oxbow Lake axis of Yenagoa as the first of its kind in the country.
Senator Diri commended Stow for the laudable gesture, which he said aligned with his administration’s vision for sports development.
He restated his call to corporate organisations, particularly the oil firms operating in the state, and other public-spirited Bayelsans to take a cue from Stow and partner the state government to develop the youths.
His words: “This young man has made a strong statement about his passion for sports development by giving back to his state. He has demonstrated that he is indeed a sportsman and a Bayelsan.
“Let me call on other Bayelsans to borrow a leaf from Stow. There are other Bayelsans that are far richer than him. Let them also give back to the state either in sports, education or health as government alone cannot do everything.”
The governor, who described sports as a money spinner, urged youths to take advantage of the facility known as The Fortress to hone their talent, stressing that facilities were critical to developing athletes.
According to him, Bayelsa has not been able to host the National Sports Festival because of inadequate facilities, which he said informed his government’s decision to build a world class stadium.
Chairman of the occasion and Senator representing Bayelsa East, Chief Benson Agadaga, enjoined youths to fully utilise the facility in order to win laurels for the state at the National Sports Festival in Ogun State from this weekend.
Also, Director General of the National Sports Commission, Mr. Bukola Olopade, represented by his Special Assistant, Ebidouwei Oweifie, described The Fortress as a foundation for the future and a symbol of progress for table tennis in Nigeria.
Olopade expressed gratitude to Senator Diri, saying his commitment to grassroots sports development has inspired stakeholders in the sector.
He also stated that the facility’s inauguration was a resounding result of the state’s investments in youth development.
Chairman of the Bayelsa House of Assembly Committee on Sports, Hon. Tari Porri, in his goodwill message, described Stow as a pride of Bayelsa and that he should be encouraged to do more for the state.
Also, Dr. Daniel Igali, in his welcome remarks, noted that facilities were crucial to sports development and that if The Fortress was put to proper use, it would produce champions for the state and country.
In his address, Stow, who is also South-South zonal representative of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, said the project was a contribution not only to the sporting future of Bayelsa but also to Nigeria.
He stated that the facility was part of his strategic initiative to position Bayelsa as a hub for table tennis excellence and promote social cohesion among youths.
He said the facility was equipped with two restaurants, two spacious lounges, changing rooms, three shower rooms among other amenities.
Highpoint of the event was presentation of an Italian table tennis coach, Luciano Esposito, to the governor.
Meanwhile, Governor Diri, on Thursday, charged the state’s contingent to the National Sports Festival to work hard in order to emerge overall winners.
He stated this after the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, urging the athletes to conduct themselves as exemplary sportsmen and women while staying focused to win laurels for the state.
He noted that having emerged fourth, third and second at previous editions, the only position left was the first.