Taraba State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Hassan Bappa has revealed that arrangements are on the pipe line by the government to establish a sports Academy in the state.
Alhaji Bappa announced this when he received the President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Mr. Ahmadu Musa Kida on a courtesy visit at his office in Jalingo, the state capital.
He said due to Governor Ishaku’s passion for the sports, plans were also underway for the establishment of Polo Club in the capital with a view to reduce unemployment among the youth and improve the internally generation revenue for the state.
“The governor is a sports lover because he plays Gulf, so he believes that when we established the sports academy, it is not only for Taraba State youth but people from other states of the federation, and even from other neighboring countries can come and study here.
“You know there are two things involved, like in the morning they will go to classes for the theory while in the evening time they will go for practical, so, you see, you will get a certificate and at the same time get a skill that you will become self-reliant.
“Governor Darius Ishaku believes so much in entrepreneurship. We have a lot of young talents and we will make sure we discover them, train them and sell them out to the world because we also have veterans in sports that will also be engaged to achieve the set goals. We have already designated a land for the proposed polo club at the Jolly Nyame Stadium as well,” Bappa explained.
Alhaji Hassan Bappa appreciated the President of the NBF and his entourage for the kind gesture and assured him of Governor Darius Ishaku’s led administration’s commitment towards sports development and youth empowerment in the state.
Earlier, the NBF President Mr. Ahmadu Musa Kida appreciated the Commissioner for giving him an audience and pledged to develop basketball in Taraba State.
Mr Kida who expressed satisfaction and excitement for the cordial working relationship existing between the Commissioner and the state Director of Sports Council, George Shitta, urged them to maintain the tempo.
He noted that within the short period of time for both of them in office, the state had recorded a lot of success in sports development that includes the winning of Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals during the Edo 2020 National Youths Games, and the just concluded Delta 2022 National Sports Festival that was held in Asaba.
According to him, many basketball players in Taraba State have distinguished themselves in various competitions, hence his passion to develop the game in the State.
Mr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, appealed to the State Government to renovate the Jolly Nyame Stadium to measure up with the needed standard to host competitions.
However, the state Director of Sports Council, Coach George Shitta had earlier tod the commissioner that the President who was in the State for the Annual general meeting of the Local Olympic Committee and elective congress which would take place on Thursday the 15th of December 2022 in Jalingo, is vying for the position of treasurer.
Shitta also appreciated the President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation for his support to the sports development in the state, and appreciated Governor Darius Ishaku for giving them approval that enabled them to participate in all the festivals during his regime.
Meanwhile, a high powered delegation have arrived Jalingo on Wednesday ahead of the Annual General Meeting of the Local Olympic Committee led by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday represented during a courtesy visit to Governor Darius Ishaku at the Government House Jalingo, but the Minister is expected to arrive in the state today Thursday for the event.
The former Chairman of Adamawa United Fc, and Adamawa Queens Football club, Mr. Emmanuel Zira and many others were among the entourage of the president.
Also the National Deputy President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria who is also vying for the Position of the President come 2023 (SWAN), Alhaji Sadiq Abubakar Moyoyo, and the Taraba State Chairman of SWAN, Mr. Joachim Dangana are among those received the President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation.
Sani Sulaiman
