REMARKS BY H.E. RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG, KSGG, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE AT THE EVENT TO HOST THE STATE CONTINGENT TO NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL (EDO 2020) AT THE BANQUET HALL OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT HOUSE, LITTLE-RAYFIELD, JOS 19TH JULY 2021.
Protocols
1. It is another great privilege for me and the entire people of Plateau State to share this evening with some of our brightest sport talents who have consistently brought honour to our dear State. This is also an opportunity to recognize their efforts and celebrate their achievements at the last National Sports Festival, Edo 2020.
2. Plateau State is not only known as The Home of Peace and Tourism, but also an incubator for raising national and international sporting stars in various events. Because of its scenic beauty, hospitality and tourist endowments, the State is a preferred destination for sports talents and retinue of big names whose journey to national and international stardom began here.
3. As a sportsman myself, I bear testimony to the enormous talents that we are blessed with in virtually all sports. Tonight is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate some of our sporting ambassadors that have gone out to again register our State in the annals of sporting victories in Nigeria.
4. After intensive competition at the 12-day National Sports Fiesta in Edo State, Plateau contingent took the 13th position and came home with 37 medals comprising of 8 gold, 13 silver, and 16 bronze. Although our aim was to emerge top, we are nevertheless proud of the efforts of our contingent who gave their best.
I congratulate the athletes, coaches and other supporting staff for making us proud as the second best team in the North and the best in the North Central.
5. Your performance reaffirms the sporting prowess that our athletes have been known for over the years having exhibited high level of competence, endurance, versatility, professionalism and discipline. Many have subsequently been invited to national Camps to represent the Country with wonderful results.
6. As an administration, we have continued to pay attention to developing our sporting talents particularly at the grassroots through various youth programmes that discover, groom and showcase hidden potentials. Since assuming office, we have sponsored our sportsmen and women to various Championships and Tournaments which resulted in winning a total of 170 gold; 157 silver; and 170 bronze medals.
7. In the same vein, we are also developing our sporting infrastructure to provide a conducive environment for our sportsmen and women to train and develop their gifts and attain the highest level of their careers. This is in addition to employing younger athletes to replace ageing ones.
8. Even though the current financial challenges of the State worsened by the Corona Virus Pandemic has made it difficult to intervene robustly in developing sporting facilities, we are nevertheless determined to do the best we can within available resources to improve the situation.
9. Apart from gradually developing the Zaria Road Stadium which has successfully hosted national and international matches, we have equally consulted a consortium to assess the situation of the Rwang Pam Stadium with a view to overhauling it.
10. Due to the paucity of funds, the Rescue Administration has not lonely emphasised prioritization in project implementation, but has also opened its doors to the private sector to continue partnering with the Government by sponsoring various sporting events and assisting in developing facilities.
11. I am happy that the private sector, well-meaning individuals and sports enthusiasts have responded well to our clarion call and are credited with some laudable achievements. I wish to call on others who are yet to key into this initiative to do so as part of their corporate social responsibility, and contribution to sports development.
12. Because of the realization that sports development cannot be effective without focusing on building younger talents, I have directed the Commissioners for Sports, Education as well as Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs to work together in restoring and reinvigorating the various school competitions, community games and other engagements that have huge benefits for talent discovery.
13. I want the situation where each year, we should put together our own version of Plateau Sports Festival where we can comprehensively identify, harness and package our sporting talents who can go out to fly the flag of the State. This will be a springboard for their journey to the global stage.
14. By developing sports in the State, we shall be taking our youths off the streets and meaningfully engaging them to avoid idleness and temptation to crimes. Sports will also help us to consolidate the peace of our State as it has the potential to unite people across ethnic, religious and political divides.
15. I will like to use this opportunity to caution our sportsmen and women on the issue of drug abuse and other vices that are inimical to the spirit of sportsmanship. With the rising cases of drug abuse in our society, we cannot afford to have sportsmen and women who are role models and leaders in their own right engaging in this negative trend. Rather, you should be at the forefront of campaigning against it.
16. My dear athletes, today’s event is not one for long speeches but an opportunity to interact with you and register the sincere appreciation of the Government and people of Plateau State for your performance and patriotic service to our dear State.
17. As a sign of our appreciation, we are rewarding each of the athletes with a token to serve as a motivation and symbol of our gratitude.
18. Therefore, all gold medalists will receive the sum of 1 million Naira each; Silver Medalists 700 Thousand Naira each; and Bronze Medalists 500 Thousand Naira each. Medal-winning Coaches will also receive a flat rate of 300 Thousand Naira each; while other athletes will get “Thanks for Coming” to be delivered by the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development.
19. Finally, I wish to assure our athletes, coaches and sports administrators that we shall continue to do our best in addressing some of your challenges particularly the issue of transport, logistics, medical care and improved welfare package.
20. Once again I congratulate you all and wish you the best as you continue to make Plateau State and our nation proud.
21. God bless Plateau State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG
Executive Governor of Plateau State.
19th July 2021.
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