By Wilson Adekumola
The Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa has emphasized sports development among youths noting that is a good way to build youths and develop their minds.
According to Leadership, Okowa made this disclosure on Tuesday in Asaba, the state capital, while signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the federal government to host the National Youth Games for the next four years.
The minister of sports and youth development, Chief Sunday Dare, signed for the federal government while Governor Ifeanyi Okowa signed for the state government.
Okowa commended the minister for his contributions to sports development in the country and for building the youths through sports.
While explaining his administration’s achievements in sports, the Governor said Delta State government had a warm relationship with the Federal Ministry of Sports hailing Dare for transforming sports.
Okowa said, “As a state, we want to categorically state that we are glad with what you have done and we are proud of you,” Okowa stated.
Governor Okowa, said Delta State was famous promoting sports development and urged other states follow its foot steps, saying, “I truly want all states to realise that you must catch them young, and if you are going to catch them young, you must start early.
“Sports is a good way to develop the minds of our youths and it helps us to relate with each other across the nation and as we do so, we are helping to build bonds of unity across Nigeria.
“Here in this state, we do not take it lightly; very soon we will have another youth game. We do it yearly; the football competition and several others. We believe that ‘catching-them-young’ is the best.”
“We must learn to build together as a nation and that is the best way to develop this country of ours. I also want to thank you for the partnership you have with Delta. You realised from the beginning that we played a pivotal role,” he said
The minister had earlier said that Delta State had become the hub for sports development, and thanked Governor Okowa for his contributions to the development of new talents across the state and country.
“Delta State undoubtedly has become the home of sports in Nigeria and it has contributed immensely to sports development in Nigeria.
“I am happy to say that in the last four years, Delta state government has contributed to sports development and in the last NSF, they proved that they are serious in doing that by organizing very robust games.
“Delta graciously agreed to host the National Youth Games for the next four years. Delta is a talent hub for our sports and it is a beacon for development of sports.
“You know that unless you nurture them, the talents won’t blossom. This is why we are very proud of Delta.
“I am happy that in the next four years, our young talents will find success in Delta State with the signing of this MoU and I have the belief that our sports will be great through this,” he said.