By Hananeel Jackson

Bayelsa State government has presented a new United World Wrestling UWW mat to the State contingent ahead of the 20th National Sports Festival Benin, Edo State scheduled to hold from 14th to 28th of February 2021.

Governor Douye Diri represented by the commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Daniel Igali said the prosperity administration was committed to the provision of adequate sports facilities for athletes in the State.

The Governor noted that as a government that understands the importance of sports development to the society, giving priority to the welfare of athletes would continue to be accorded premium attention.

He stressed that his desire was to see every association train with State of the art sports facilities describing the mat as the best in country.

The Governor said he has approved the reconstruction of a wrestling gym at the Samson Siasia stadium in Yenagoa.

Apparently not satisfied with the State of the swimming pool facility at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, he pointed out that the facility would be given a face lift soon in order enable the state swimmers get good preparation before going into major competitions.

On the maiden state sports festival he said the state would still go ahead to host the fiesta in May this year.

Earlier, Director of Sports, Bayelsa State council, Sir Braveman Wodi lauded the state partnership with private sector,stressing that with governor Diri on the saddle as a former commissioner for sports, the prosperity administration would use sports to change narrative of the State.

Sir Wodi added that the gesture by the governor has further shown how pertinent sports development is to the administration.

Highpoint of the event was the test running of the mat by wrestlers and the State gymnasts.