A lawmaker, Matthew Kwarpo, Chairman, Plateau State House of Assembly Committee on Sports and Youth Development, has sponsored a bill to upgrade Plateau Sports Council to Plateau Sports Commission.
Kwarpo, who addressed newsmen on Wednesday in Jos, said that the bill, which passed first reading during Tuesday plenary, would boost sports in the state.
The legislator, who is also Chairman, House Committee on Information, stated that Plateau currently has a sports council that was charged with 34 indoor and outdoor sports.
He said that it was the desire of the people of the state that the sports council be given another status, a form of autonomy that would enable it to take decisions on its own without undue interference.
“When it becomes a commission, it can sue and be sued, and that will enable it to venture into the grassroots to discover and hone the abundant talents.
“Plateau has abundant natural talents that need to be harnessed for the good of the individuals and the state.
“When established, the commission will set up six offices in six zones. And in each of the zones, there would be sporting facilities that would be provided for the training of the young talents.
“It is the desire of the Plateau government to produce young talents that will represent the state at national and international competitions like the Olympics and world cups, among others.
“I am appealing to colleagues and the general public for this bill to be given the necessary support so that when it’s passed into law, we will all smile,” he stated.
Kwarpo described sports as a big business that could improve the revenue of the state, engage the youth meaningfully to be able to have financial stability, and help address youth restiveness.
According to him, the bill, by the grace of God, would pass second reading in a fortnight. (NAN)
