Kano State athletes and officials have attributed their “improved performance” at the just concluded ninth National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, to Governor Abba Yusuf’s decision to airlift the state’s contingent to the Games.

About three months ago, 22 athletes from Kano State lost their lives in a road accident while returning from the National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

After that incident, the governor pledged that he would prioritise the safety of athletes representing the state at national events. And in fulfillment of that pledge, about 150 athletes and officials who represented Kano at the National Youth Games in Asaba flew on a chartered flight.

The result is that at the end of the Games in Asaba, Team Kano finished in the ninth position with 15 medals made up of seven gold, five silver and two bronze medals ahead of Team Rivers, which occupied the 10th position.

Speaking with The Guardian shortly before Team Kano’s departure from Asaba, the leader of delegation, Ibrahim Umar, said: “This is our best performance in the National Youth Games, and we are very grateful to our governor for his approval of air transportation for the young athletes and the officials.

“Coming to Asaba by air really helped us in many ways because the athletes were relaxed, and also had sense of belonging. They feel the love from the governor.

“We should have left immediately after the closing ceremony but on getting to the airport, we were told that the chartered flight from Kano will arrive in Asaba by 6.00 a.m. the following morning. So, we had to contact Delta State Sports Commission and we are grateful to them for providing another night’s accommodation and feeding for us.

“Our governor keeps demonstrating that he is a humble leader, who shows concern and readiness to deploy all available means to protect the lives and property of Kano people,” Umar stated.