By Uzor Odigbo
The Hon. Commissioner for Sports in Kaduna state professor Benjamin Kumai Gugong has decried the method adopted by the Sports Ministry for Athletes screening at Youth Games in Asaba.
He said the method of AthIetes screening was not full proof and not the best, adding that there are other screening patterns that would have solved the problem of cheating at competition with over-age athletes.
Gugong in a chat with TheNiche, reiterated the need to laise with schools where Athletes attend studies for determination of Athletes real ages than rely on National identification Number (NIN).
He concluded that Kaduna State contingent did no have winning directive from anyone at the Youth Games, but came to Asaba solely to give AthIetes exposure.
The commissioner said the target of Kaduna State’s participation in the Youth Games was to involve and expose Young athletes to bigger competitions for proper development.
On what the State government would considers as incentives for Athletes when they return home from Asaba, Gugong said incentives have been planned whether they win a medal or not.
Insisting that some of the Athletes in school would be given scholarships and those not in school would be encouraged to go to school, he also said the Kaduna state government also has plans to refurbish all sports facilities in the state and make them available to Athletes for training.
Professor Benjamin Gugong Praised Governor Uba Sani for offering the contingent all funds it required to excel in the competition.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State director of sports Mr. Yakubu Ibrahim added that the government of Sen. Uba Sani is targeting a lot of positives in the sports sector in Kaduna, beginning with returning the state to its former glory.
He maintained that Kaduna used to be the hub of sports in the Northern region in the past and now trailing other states.
“The rehabilitation of sports facilities at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium is key and would guarrantee sports development faster said,” Ibrahim.