Lucky Yargwa, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, has pledged to ensure that the state government revives the erstwhile state sports festival in 2022.
Yargwa stated this during a courtesy call paid on him by members of the state chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Lafia on Wednesday.
According to Yargwa, the revival of the state sports festival last celebrated during the administration of former Gov. Abdullahi Adamu, will help in identifying raw talents spread across the state, most especially in the grassroots.
“The state sports festival is something we are looking at and I want to assure you that this year no matter how it is, I will make sure we organize the festival in the state.
“When we say this is an event that was organized more than 15 years back, it means we have to revive it and it is when we organize such an event that we identify the raw talents abound in the state,” he said.
The commissioner said that aside the sports festival, the state government, via the ministry plans to introduce beach football, baseball and other sporting activities to engage more youths who are talented in various sporting activities aside football.
“We want to see how we can take advantage of other sports in Nigeria.
“We will see how we can come up with beach soccer, baseball and other sporting activities so as to reduce the concentration on football alone.
“We want all the sporting activities that are forgotten to be restored because we have some of our youths who could play those games.
“The ministry has the capacity to improve sporting activities in the state which is what we must do,” he said.
Yargwa appreciated the visit of the members of SWAN in the state and pledged to work closely with the body to publicize the efforts of the state government in developing sports and engaging youths in the state.
He also appealed to SWAN members to inculcate professionalism in reporting sports stories, assuring them that his office would open for clarification.
Speaking earlier, Isa Muhammed, Chairman of SWAN in the state, appreciated the commissioner for hosting the association and congratulated him on his appointment as the new Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in the state.
“On behalf of the association, I will like to congratulate you on your well deserve appointment.
“The aim of our visit is to give you assurance that we are with you and we are going to support you to promote sports in Nasarawa State,” he said.
He appealed to the commissioner to ensure that sports writers in the state are always carried along with regards to sporting activities.(NAN)
