Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
The Commissioner for Sports Development, Bayelsa State, Dr. Daniel Igali, on Friday, restated the state government’s commitment to the development of Para Sports in the country.
The World and Olympic champion made the assertion in Yenagoa, at the opening of a technical seminar with the theme: “Upgrade the capacity of technical officials of Para Athletics,” organised by the Para-Athletics Federation of Nigeria in partnership with Bayelsa State Para Athletics Association.
According to Igali para sports has brought glory and honour to Bayelsa State at major events, hence the sustainability.
Champion Igali commended the Para Athletics Federation for its contribution towards the development and promotion of para sports in the country through its developmental programmes.
He said, “We are happy that this programme is holding in Bayelsa State which is in addition to the many other national events we have hosted this year.
“The Prosperity Government led by Governor Douye Diri is very much interested in our Para athletes in ensuring they have all the necessary support needed.
“We are one of the few states that pay Para athletes same amount of laurels won in National tournaments as their able counterparts and we won’t stop.”
Also speaking, the Director of Sports, Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi, in his address, urged the participants to utilise what they learnt from the seminar to improve on their knowledge of the sport.
Sir Braveman said the aim of the seminar was to develop and grow para sports in Nigeria.
The Director added that the seminar would afford participants from the country the opportunity to learn and update their knowledge on the rules and regulations guiding the sports.
Wodi stated, “We are here to develop the capacity of technical officials in the country by helping them to get the needed knowledge to enable them to participate and officiate in international championships”.
