DICKSON TASKS PRIVATE SECTOR ON SPORTS DEVELOPMENT IN BAYELSA

Gov Dickson displaying the Restoration Cup 2018 jersey presented to him by the local organising committee of the 2nd  Gov Seriake Dickson Football Tournament.

...DIRECTS COUNCILS TO SUPPORT RESTORATION CUP

Bayelsa State Governor, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has called on the private sector to key into his administration's commitment to promote and drive sports development in the state.

He said his government will continue to support sports since it is another area to positively engage youths in the state. 

Governor Dickson spoke in Abuja during the official presentation of the Restoration Cup 2018 branded jersey to him by Team Restoration members led by the Coordinator, Richman Ndakwe, Ono Akpe (Director General), Daniel Alabrah (Media Director) and David Nanakumo (Director, Protocol & Events). 

The governor, who was assisted by his Chief Press Secretary, Francis Agbo and other key aides, said tournaments like the  Restoration Cup would help curb cultism and  youth restiveness in the state. 

He commended the organisers of the football competition and those who supported the first edition like Sterling Bank, Barr. Wilson Ajuwa, Anthony Crooks, King A.J. Turner, Hon. Mohammed Wakil as well as some of his aides.

The Bayelsa Chief Executive, who assured the organisers of government's support for this second edition, urged the private sector and other well-meaning individuals to key into the competition so as to positively engage the youths.

"Individuals and corporate bodies need to support laudable initiatives like this football tournament. Our government has put in place basic infrastructure for the development of sports in the state like the Asoama Sports Institute, reconstruction of the Samson Siasia Sports Complex and other sports facilities across the state. I hope the private sector keys into such projects to ensure optimal utilisation for the benefit of the youths of Bayelsa," he said.

The Countryman Governor, as he is fondly called, said he directed the organisers to make this year's edition a community based tournament so that it would engender peaceful and harmonious relationship among communities in the state. 

"All local government chairmen, councillors and CDC officials should mobilise their communities to ensure that no community is left out of this competition," he said.

Dickson also congratulated the St. Jude Girls Secondary School and Belary Schools for winning the Atlantic Conference of the Milo Basketball Championship recently held in Benin, the Edo capital.

Describing the students as great ambassador of the state, he implored other youths to emulate them so as to carve a niche for themselves through sports.