Gombe – Gombe State Sports Commission on Thursday inaugurated 19 sports associations as part of efforts to reposition sports in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the associations inaugurated are Judo, Weightlifting, Circling, Badminton, Gymnastics, Aquatic Sports, Traditional Sports, and Handball.
Others are Chess, Hockey, Special Sports, Basketball, Soccer/Para soccer, Taekwendo, Scramble, Volleyball and Boxing.
Ahmed Usman, state Head of Service, while inaugurating the associations, said the members were saddled with the responsibility of identifying talents at the grassroots.
Usman, who was represented by Ibrahim Sa’ad, chairman of basketball association, said that the inauguration of associations would create an avenue for youths to channel their energy to constructive activities.
“I am optimistic that youth would be engaged in various sporting activities, which would reduce the rate of social vices and other criminal acts,’’ he said.
Usman, however, commended the Acting Director of Sports, Haruna Dala, for the good initiative put in place toward identifying talents at the grassroots.
He appealed to the members of the various associations to work hand in hand with the commission to uplift sports in the state.
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Earlier, Dala said that the associations would assist the sports commission in running its affairs.
“My reason of standing firm to see that the associations are inaugurated is to reactivate sporting activities in Gombe,” he said.
Ramatu Magommiya of the boxing association, who spoke on behalf of the others, assured the government that that the members would ensure that they live up the confidence reposed in them.
NAN reports that trophies to be won in football and volleyball during the Head of Service competition were unveiled at the occasion. (NAN)
