• Lays foundation for 25,000 capacity stadium in Bayelsa

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, performed the groundbreaking ceremony of a new 25,000-capacity stadium at Igbogene, in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, as part of activities marking Governor Douye Diri’s five years in office.

At the ceremony, witnessed by top dignitaries from within and outside Bayelsa State, the former president canvassed for a special fund to be managed by reputable individuals to support athletes throughout their lives, even after they retire from active sports.

Jonathan emphasised the need for sports administrators, both national and state, to establish funds to cater to sportspeople who have brought laurels to the country.

He said: “Developing sport is not about encouraging people to go and win medals, but I always feel sad when I see some people who have promoted Nigeria’s name and gone for international games, either the Commonwealth or Olympics and won medals. They are honoured immediately with all kinds of ceremonies and after that, they are forgotten.

“After some years, some of them become almost beggars, even to feed, and that doesn’t encourage young people to put all their lives into sports.

“So, I feel that as a country, we must have a fund to be properly managed by people, so that anybody who has made a name in a sport, that person will not be a beggar till the person dies,” he said.
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He urged the chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) to consider the idea, which could also be implemented at the state level.

“We must make sure that anybody who made the country proud should be taken care of until that person dies, and that will encourage young men and women to invest 100 per cent of their skills and lives into sports,” Jonathan emphasised.
He commended Governor Douye Diri’s vision and leadership, expressing hope that the stadium project would be completed within the 24-month target.

“I am very hopeful that by February 2027, I will escort President Tinubu down to commission the sports complex… Let me again congratulate you, your vision, and your leadership, my governor, and people who are here to assist you with this project,” he said.

Earlier, Governor Douye Diri expressed satisfaction with the continuous development in the state, saying that Bayelsa is making history.  He stressed that the ultra-modern stadium has the capacity to accommodate 25, 000 persons, adding: “It is an Olympic-sized stadium.”