.FG seeks support on sports development
Kwara State has emerged winner in both singles and team event in the just concluded Under-19 Secondary Schools Squash Championship for boys and girls which held in Minna, the Niger State capital.
Of the seven states that make up the North-Central Zone, with headquarters in Jos, Plateau state – Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja – Plateau State emerged second overall winner followed by the host, Niger State, which came third in both team and single events.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has appealed to Nigerians and corporate organizations to invest in sports development not to only to improve on the mental alertness for millions of Nigerian youths but provide source of livelihood to keep them away from criminalities.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. J. Dalong, made the appeal after presentation of medals and certificates to winners after the U-19 zonal Secondary School Squash Competition finals at the Minna Sports Club, Minna, Niger State.
Dalong, who spoke through the zonal coordinator, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Dr. Patrick Uwagbare, argued that sports, Squash in particular, is not all about running about chasing balls but about building mental capabilities of the players.
He commended the sponsor of the championship, Alhaji Adamu Erena, Niger State Squash Association, the state Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and others who contributed to the development of sports in the zone and called on other Nigerians to emulate the sponsor as government alone cannot develop sports.
“The zone is happy with you, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development is happy with you. We have also seen the enthusiasm that you are ready to play squash which will not only improve your mental abilities but for self-sustaining”, the Minister said.
Sponsor of the championship and President Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF), Adamu Erena,
said that the two days championship was geared towards discovering hidden talents that could represent Nigeria in Squash at world levels.
Adamu Erena who was elected Vice President Squash Africa (North) in South Africa said that he was worried that many Nigerians invest their monies on materials instead of on human capacity building to guarantee sustainable development.
