Sports Development: Delta Assembly Pledges Support For State Sports Commission

The Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Youths and Sports Development has charged the Delta State Sports Commission to strive to win more laurels for the state.

The Chairman of the Committee and Deputy Majority Whip of the House, Hon Alfred Martins gave the charge when he led other members of the Committee on a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Delta State Sport Commission, Chief Tonibok Okowa.

Hon Martins who represents Warri North Constituency in the House, said Delta State has been a leading light in sports in the country and commended those that had made it possible.

The Lawmaker paid glowing tributes to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for creating enabling environment for sports to thrive in the state, stressing that the present administration has added great values to sports infrastructures in the state.

Hon Martins stated that the completion of the Stephen Keshi Stadium was a master stroke, pointing out that the national and international competition that now take place in the stadium have attracted positive attention to the state.

While commending the Delta State Sports Commission for the successes recorded in sporting activities in the recent past, Hon Martins urged the commission to ensure that the state maintains its first position in sports.

Accompanied by six members of the committee; Honorables Ekpotuareyin Pullah, Ferguson Onwo, Anthony Elekeokwuri, Emeka Nwaobi, Innocent Anidi and Moses Anaughe, the Lawmaker said there was the need to encourage more youths to sports in the state.

Hon Alfred Martins promised his Committee’s support at ensuring adequate budgetary allocation to the commission in the 2020 budget as the visit of the committee coincided with the day it was presented to the house by the state Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

Some of the members In their remarks commended the beehive of activities at the Stephen Keshi Stadium and praised the effort of the Delta State Sports Commission in that regards.

The Lawmakers assured the commission of the readiness of the committee to help address challenges faced it.

Delta Assembly Committee on Youths and Sports Development with the Chairman, Delta State Sport Commission.

The Chairman of the Commission, Chief Tonibok Okowa commended the Chairman and members of the Committee for the familiarization visit and appealed for effective collaboration with the committee.

He highlighted some challenges confronting the commission, particularly in the area of inadequate budgetary allocation and stressed the need for more money to enable the commission meet up with the high financial involvement in sporting activities.

Chief Okowa strongly recommended the establishment of a befitting Sports Academy in the state, stressing that it will groom more talents in sports as well as generate revenue for the state.

He expressed optimism of better days ahead in sports development in the state.