Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, the driving force behind Gombe’s first-ever Inter-Secondary Athletics Championships, has confirmed that the Games Village—where athletes will be housed during the event—is nearing completion.
The championships, set to take place from October 18 to 24 at Gombe Pantami Stadium, will feature secondary school athletes from across the region.
Gara-Gombe, Chairman of the Gombe State Athletics Association and CEO of Green White Green (GWG) Sports Center Ltd., is the primary sponsor of the project.
After a meeting with the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) and subcommittees, he expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the Games Village and its potential impact on the athletes.
“This project is personal to me,” Gara-Gombe said. “Building the Games Village from scratch has been no small task, but I believe in the future of these young athletes. Providing them with a comfortable place to stay is crucial for their performance, and I want them to know they are valued.”
For Gara-Gombe, this initiative marks another milestone in his long-standing commitment to sports development in Gombe.
He has previously sponsored athletics championships at the primary school level, an effort that helped discover athletes who later represented Gombe State at the 7th National Youth Games in Asaba.
“The impact of investing in young talent cannot be overstated. The athletes we discovered during the primary school championships have gone on to represent the state at national levels,” Gara-Gombe noted. “Now, with this Inter-Secondary competition, we’re opening the door for even more talent to emerge.”
Beyond the championships, Gara-Gombe believes his project will pave the way for greater private sector involvement in sports.
He urged the government to support and recognize such contributions, emphasizing the role private investments can play in building infrastructure and growing awareness.
“The future of sports in Gombe is bright, but it requires all hands on deck. I hope my efforts inspire others to contribute to the development of our athletes and the growth of sports in the state,” Gara-Gombe concluded.
