…reiterates state’s readiness to host competition
- By Bassey Ibiatisuho
Ahead of the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival in April, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Sports, Elder Paul Bassey has embarked on an inspection tour of some sporting facilities in the state, with an assurance that the government will put everything in place to ensure a successful hosting of the competition.
With over 3000 athletes expected from the nine Niger Delta States, the Sports Commissioner inspected facilities at the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre –DASAC, Ikot Ada Idem, where he was conducted round by the Chairman, Governing Council of the centre, Chief Churchill Udoh and the Rector, Professor Enoidem Usoroh.
Some of the facilities inspected were the football field, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, medical centre, male and female hostels, indoor sports hall and the auditorium.
Elder Bassey thanked Governor Umo Eno for approving the hosting of the Niger Delta Sports Festival in Akwa Ibom, adding that the festival will give the state another opportunity to market its achievement and huge investment in sports infrastructural development and maintenance.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality of sporting facilities at DASAC as well as the hostels which have the capacity to accommodate up to 1000 athletes during the sports festival, and thanked the management of the centre for maintaining the facilities.
At the West Itam Sports Centre, the facility manager, Victor Owokere conducted the sports commissioner round the handball, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts which are currently undergoing rehabilitation ahead of the sports festival.
Owokere lamented the level of vandalism at the sports centre and appealed for improved security to safeguard the facilities, especially after the rehabilitation work.
The Commissioner who condemned the destruction of public infrastructure and the use of government sport facilities without due authorization, announced plans to set up a Stadium Management Committee, to ensure the protection and maintenance of government-owned sports facilities across the state.
He commended the level of rehabilitation work at the Itam Sports Centre and assured of proper management of the centre after the Niger Delta Sports Festival which is scheduled to hold from April 1-9.
The Commissioner was accompanied to the inspection tour by all the Directors in the Ministry of Sports, led by the Director of Sports, Mrs Brigitte Oton.
