Okowa Promises to Maintain Lead In Sports at Nat. level

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa promised his administration’s commitment to ensure that the state will continue to excel in national sports events.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 6th Delta State Sports Festival in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of the State, the governor averred: “it is an open secret that the constant successes achieved by Delta State in national competitions is largely due to this grassroots support for sports.”

He reiterated government’s determination to ensure that the State continues to play a leading role in the development of sports in the country, promising to make the Sports Festival a yearly event, and providing more avenues for youths to productively engage in sporting activities.

Dr. Okowa commended the various local government areas who contributed to the promotion of sports at the grassroots.

” Sporting activities are vital areas where our young men and women can be meaningfully engaged; they keep the young ones busy and away from delinquent behaviours and youth restiveness in all its ramifications; besides, it also gives opportunity to develop their talents on their way to national and international prominence,” governor Okowa said.

However, he promised to support sports development through the reintroduction of the School Sports Competition while thanking the Sports Commission and the athletes for their contributions to sports development.

The Minister of Sports, Honourable Solomon Dalung, who was the Special Guest of Honour, in his speech, acknowledged the contributions of Delta State in taking Nigeria to greater heights through sports development, asserting that the state has produced quality sportsmen and women who have represented the country in major sporting events in Africa and other parts of the world.

He commended Governor Okowa for his commitment to sports development, noting that sports had contributed immensely to the sustenance of peace in the state.
The Chairman, Delta State Sports Commission Chief Tonobok Okowa said talents which were discovered during the festival would be assets to the State in future National and International sporting activities.

Governor Okowa alongside the Sports Minister and Deputy Governor, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro later presented trophies to the winners of the Festival.

Warri North local government area clinched the first position with 39 gold medals to beat its closest rival, Oshimili South local government area which got 30 gold medals, while Ukwuani local government area got 29 gold medals.