The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare Tuesday commended Sen. Seriake Dickson, the immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State for his contribution, over the years, to the development of grassroots sports in the country.
Speaking at the unveiling of the Nanaye Dickson Wrestling Competition as the Special Guest of Honour, Dare stated that the launch of the competition is a validation of Dickson’s interest, support, and investment in Sports development, with Wrestling standing out very clear.
The Chief Host, Sen. Seriake Dickson earlier stated that apart from the launch of the Wrestling Competition, the Seriake Dickson Foundation is also rewarding Bayelsa indigenes who have done the State proud in Sports, prominent amongst them is Blessing Oborodudu, the first African woman to clinch a Silver medal in Wrestling at the Tokyo Olympics.
“The Future of Sports development is the classification of Sports as business and it has two legs, Government and the Private Sector. I thank you sincerely for the recognitions you have given today to medalists, both dead and alive, and I think we will also take a cue from here as the Federal Government to reach out to as many of our athletes, and not wait until they have gone to the great beyond before they are recognized and validated”, the Minister emphasized.
Dare also acknowledged the support of Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth and Sports Development, Sen. Obinna Ogba, lauding his collaboration with the Ministry, especially on efforts to revive and bring back the National Sports Commission (NSC). “We hope to jointly deliver a revitalized, restructured and refocused NSC before the end of the first quarter of 2022”, Dare asserted.
The Minister concluded by charging Blessing Oborodudu’s coach, Victor Kode to produce more medalists for the country ahead of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games and Olympics, whilst urging Senators across the nation’s 109 Senatorial districts to take a cue from Sen. Seriake Dickson and adopt a Sports to develop, peculiar to their constituencies.
Asides from the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, other dignitaries that graced the event include Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth and Sports Development, Sen. Obinna Ogba, first Military Governor of old Rivers State, HRH Alfred Diete-Spiff, Commissioner of Sports, Bayelsa State, representing Governor Duoye Diri, Daniel Ighali amongst others.
