Gombe athletics boss canvasses corporate support for grassroots development

Chairman of Gombe State Athletics Association, Ahmed Shaibu Gara-Gombe, has called on the private sector to help his association’s quest to develop sports in the state. The support, he said, could be through sponsorship of any of its grassroots programmes or by financing new developmental projects. 
 
Speaking during the just-concluded inter-primary schools athletics championship at the Pantami Township Stadium, Gombe, the athletics boss said his association has embarked on a journey to build world champions, adding that catching talented athletes from their teen age will ensure they are evenly developed.
  
The inter-primary school competition featured primary schools pupils in different events, including 100m race for boys and girls, sack race, egg race, bottle race, high jump and long jump, among others.
 
While saying he was prompted to revive athletics at the grassroots to train young athletes, who will represent the state at the national level in the near future, he expressed optimism that the efforts would yield fruitful results given adequate support by government and corporate Nigeria.
  
Also speaking on the programme, SUBEB Secretary, Fatima Umar Abubakar, promised that government would invest in sporting activities in the state and also encourage every effort to grow sports in the state.
[ad]