By Uzor Odigbo
Delta State Sport Commission Chairman, Tonobok Okowa, has reiterated his concern for athletes future, welfare and competitions as government gave nod for contact sports activities after a six-month COVID-19 lockdown.
During the first post COVID-19 Athletics meet in Asaba on Friday, Okowa said that the provision of competitions for Athletes was key to their high performance and sustainable development.
“Delta State had to make the competition possible owing to concern we have for talents and general development of athletes and coaches,” Okowa said.
According to him, since youths practice sports, administrators should be concerned about the provision of competitions attached with good cash prizes to assist their training and performance.
The chairman Delta Sports Commission insisted that without such competition, athletes, who were about 80% of the population would do nothing than cause trouble in the society.
Also, AFN female board member, Rosa Collins, said that Delta State Sports Commission has done well in providing competition and mouth-watering cash prizes to athletes.
“We are proud of Delta State for giving athletes the competitions they needed this time. It will go a long way in preparing them for more competitions ahead”.
The competition, which attracted over 200 athletes across the nation, lived up to expectation as athletes competed in 100m, 200m, 400m, 10000m, javelin, shot put, high and long jump, 100mh, men and women etc.
Notable athletes present at the competition include, Ese Brume, Ogho-Oghene Egwero, Jerry Jakpa, Joy Gabriel-Udo, Ofili, Grace Edemadudu etc.
The Okowa Post COVID-19 Athletics meet was good for athletes who won gold, silver and bronze medals as they went home with cash prizes worth N100.000, N70.000 and N50.000, respectively.
