By Uzor Odigbo
A renewed wave of sports development has been launched in Gombe State as stakeholders have demanded for set goals to demonstrate commitment to reviving sports activities in the state.
The call was made by the Executive Chairman, Gombe Local Government, Barr. Sani A. A. Haruna, during the inauguration and swearing-in ceremony of several sports committees and associations at the old multipurpose hall of Gombe State University in Gombe Metropolis.
The event saw the inauguration of the Main Organizing Committee for the Gombe State Inter-Secondary Athletics Competition and the Gombe State Higher Institutions Football League.
The Board of Trustees and Executive Committee of the Gombe State Primary School Games Masters Association were established, and the state contingent to the National Youth Games Asaba 2023 and the Athletics Championship Jos 2024 were recognized.
Barrister Haruna commended the commitment and well-defined goals set by the convener, Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, who has positioned Gombe State prominently in national sports arena through the upcoming sports competitions.
He praised Hon.Ahmed Gara-Gombe’s efforts in promoting sports, highlighting the importance of government advisory roles in nurturing young athletes through school games.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, the chief host and chairman of the Gombe State Athletics Association, expressed gratitude to the guests and parents of the athletes for their trust, commending the State Ministry of Youths and Sports Development for registering the Gombe State Primary Schools Game Masters Association.
Gara-Gombe encouraged the inaugurated organizing committees to be diligent in the discharge of their duties to promote sportsmanship in the state.
Special guests, including, Commissioner of Youths and Sports, Alhaji Adamu Inuwa Pantami, Commissioner for Education Dr. Aishatu Maigari, and Commissioner for Higher Education, Muhammad Shatima Gadam, applauded Gara-Gombe’s efforts in promoting Gombe State in athletics.
Also speaking at the event, chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Yaya Hammari also called for the establishment of a standard games village in Gombe, emphasizing that sports is a vital vocational skill and a source of Unity in the Society.
The event was concluded by honoring Gombe athletes and officials who won medals at the National Youth Games and the MTN Athletics Championship, with certificates and cash awards and some dignitaries were also recognized for their support