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By Hananeel Jackson

Bayelsa state government and its eight local government areas have agreed to institutionalise state-owned Sports Festival.

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Daniel Igali made this known after a meeting with the eight local government councils Chairmen in his office in Yenagoa.

Igali noted that the sports festival would be used as an instrument to bring all differential factors together, and emphasized the need for Bayelsans to use the sports festival to promote peace and internal security in the state.

The Commissioner explained that the chairmen are critical stakeholders who can contribute immensely to the progress of sports, pointing out that, the meeting with the chairmen was to ensure the success of the proposed sports festival as well as actualise the visions of the ministry.

The Nigeria Wrestling Federation President pointed out that plans have reached advanced stage for the reinvigoration of inter-communal sports competitions with a view to positively engaging youths in profitable sporting events and foster peaceful coexistence in society.

He added that the planed institutionalisation of biannual sports festival would propel talented youths to participate at the national and international levels of sporting events, stressing that the Asoama Sports Academy would be the breeding ground for future sports champions.

Earlier, the Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria, (ALGON), Bayelsa State Chapter, and Chairman, Southern Ijaw Local Government Council, Hon. Kia Nigeria, said that the LGAS would continue to collaborate with the Ministry to achieve set goals.

Hon. Kia who described the meeting as timely, called on well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies to key into the vision of the Youth and Sports Development Commissioner to actualise the prosperity agenda in the area of sports.

According to the Chairman, the local Government council Chairmen were willing to support the lofty ideals of the state government whenever they are called upon to contribute their quota.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Ogbia Local Government area, Mr. Ebinyo Turner had expressed confidence in the Commissioner to salvage the regrettable situation of sports in the State, adding that, the chairmen would collaborate with the ministry to bring back the lost glory of Sports.

He noted that the festival when instituted would enable young Bayelsans actualize their hidden talents that could be exported at the national and international levels.

Also present at the meeting were: the Chairmen, Nembe LGA, Hon. Alalibo West, Ekeremor LGA, Hon. Perekiye Bertola, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Chief Dengiye Ubarugu, Yenagoa LGA, Hon. Uroupaye Nimizuoa, the Permanent Secretary of Youth Development, Mrs. Ruth Etebu, amongst others.