*Director of Sports excited by visit to athletes
*Kada Kings Chairman also visits, doles out cash
By JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
In view of his passion for youth and quest to keeping them engaged positively through sports, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani has assured of plans to further develop sports in the state through public private sponsorship.
He expressed this, while interacting with athletes at the ongoing 2023 National Para Games at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Thursday December 12, 2023.
“We are working to create a lot of facilities, we are working round the clock, visiting citizens of the state all over the country, with a view to get them involved in sports development through public private partnership,” he said.
Represented by his SA on Sports, Alhaji Idris Dibis, Senator Uba Sani said that he is impressed with the performance of the state’s representatives at the Para Games.
He said, “By the grace of God, it will not be business as usual. We will ensure the necessary equipment are provided for you.
“From now onward, no association will give us notice of less than three weeks camping before competitions, to ensure proper preparation,” he assured.
Speaking further, Dibis said, “His Excellency has done a great job for us. While wee are mourning the over 80 people killed in Tudun Biri, yet His Excellency’ ensured you are here.
“We are happy that the governor has done his best,” he said.
The SA informed that based on the importance attached to sports by the Uba Sani-led government is lining up several sporting activities within the first quarter of 2024.
“We have gotten approval for marathon and the committee will be out soon.
“We also have a sports racing coming up in honour of Emir of Zazzau in January or February.
“We have reactivated the scholarship for sportsmen and women. Anyone who has capacity for education can benefit,” he said.
Speaking further, he explained that he was accompanied on the visit to the athletes by a sports lover, Ahmed Tijjani who is the Chairman of Kada Kings Basketball Team, Board Member Kaduna State Basketball Association and Coordinator Youth NBBF North West.
“He is my friend, he is the first to have a basketball team in Kaduna. He has gathered a document on private public partnership in sports development,” he said.
“He is going to give a token of N50, 000 to you for refreshment,” he said.
Dibis praised sports writers in the state for positive repirtage.
“Journalists have done a great work in covering sports. You are doing a very good job,” he said.
In his remarks, Ahmed Tijjani told
the athletes that he has a basketball team where they groom young players.
“Right now, we have some playing out of the country.
“We are looking at how we can activate para basketball in the state.
“We are seeing how we can package sports and sell it back to the private sector,” he said.
In his response, the Director of Sports (DOS), Yakubu Ibrahim appreciated the Kada Kings chairman for his kind gesture.
“I know you have been into sports right from when I came into office. We want to thank you sir. You have been doing it for a long time, we want to thank you sir, ” he said.
