Okowa pledges continuous support as College of Commerce wins school sports festival

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has said his administration would continue to develop school sports to encourage the development of raw talents.

The governor gave the assurance during the grand finale of Greater Delta Games 2020 School Sports festival, where College of Commerce, Warri, clinched the first position. It was followed by Asagba Mixed Secondary School, Asaba and West-End Secondary Schools, also in Asaba.

According to the governor, school sports remained the foundation of grassroots sports in any society and the individual schools are the driving force.

“From inception, this administration became committed to the development of grassroots sports; as there are countless raw and budding talents that abound in our schools across the nooks and crannies of the state, which are wasting but waiting and begging to be tapped.

“That is why my administration is unequivocally committed to the provision of sports equipment and facilities in all schools across the State.

“We will continue to do this until every school, even in the remotest community in the state, is provided with standard sporting equipment and facilities; this is part of our Stronger Delta vision and agenda of this administration.

“This sports festival is designed as one of the numerous sporting events to provide another opportunity to shape the future of our youths; participation in sports, especially athletics, is one sure way our youths can learn various significant life skills like teamwork, leadership, responsibilities and discipline.

“Here in Delta State, our people are very passionate about sports, which is an impetus for our ceaseless efforts to maintain the State’s dominant position in all sports.

“Our world today shows that school sports can become a foundation on which our future in sports is built and my administration is steadfast on youth empowerment hence its commitment to also improve on sports and the facilities at all levels.”

Governor Okowa, who congratulated participants in the festival, called on well-meaning individuals, corporate organisations and non-governmental organisations, including international bodies, to partner with his administration in sponsoring sporting events.

He observed that no government could single-handedly shoulder the huge financial responsibility of organising sports.

Earlier in an address, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in the state, Chief Patrick Ukah said, over 2000 schools participated in the athletics events for primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools categories.

He commended the governor for reviving school sports, including the Headmasters and Principals Cup, including the compulsory annual school inter-house sports competition in all public schools in the state.