By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has been commended for his political will, and sincerity of purpose to develop sports in the State and taking sports as a tool for economic development.
The commendation was made at the end of the 1st Bauchi State Council on Sports Meeting under the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (MY&SD) which was held at the Multi-Purpose Indoor Sports Hall, Bauchi, Bauchi State recently with the theme “Sports for Economic Development”.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the Council also Commended the Governor for
granting approval for the State Sports Festival to be an annual event after absconding for 42 years.
It also expressed appreciation to the Commissioner, Hon. Muhammad Salis Gamawa, the Ministry of Youth & Sports Development, Sports Stakeholders and the people of Bauchi State for their warm reception, hospitality, during the 2
Refresher Course/Technical Sessions and Stakeholders Meeting and support towards the hosting of the 2nd Edition of the Bauchi State Sports Festival.
The Council further Commended the Commissioner for his doggedness and pragmatic approach to sports development in the State, and
commended the Guest Speakers, for their well articulated Presentations during the Fresher course/Technical session.
It also noted the presentation and adoption of the Rules and Regulations for the Bauchi State Sports Festival and
approved that Local Government Areas should key into the new initiatives and programmes of the Bauchi State Sports
Council under the supervision of the Ministry of Youth & Sports Development.
It urged Local Government Areas to domesticate and align their Sports activities with that of the Bauchi State Sports Council under the supervision of the Ministry of Youth & Sports Development.
The Council further Urged all key stakeholders to ensure they play their roles towards the implementation of the adopted Rules and Regulations of the games during the Refresher Course/Technical Session and Stakeholders Meeting.
It then approved July 10th – 20th, 2024, as the dates for the 2nd Edition of the 2024 Bauchi State Sports Festival to be held in Bauchi just it pproved the inclusion of not more than two selected Deaf Sports in the list of events to be competed in the Sports Festival to promote inclusivity.
It Noted the need to promote sports and fitness due to the established health benefits of physical activity and
increasing burden of non-communicable diseases and the economic potential of the sports industry in the State.
The Council rged the Bauchi State Ministry of Youth and Sports
Development to encourage more women to participate in Sports activities urging the Ministry to support referees and coaches to attend
National and International refresher courses and competitions.
The Council also Urged referees to educate athletes and coaches on the latest rules of their sports and requested Local Government Areas to start building anti-doping structures and capacity within their domain.
The Council stressed that any athletes who participated for Bauchi State Festival will not represent any State for a period of One year based on eligibility/residential qualification as per the rules and regulations governing the National Sports Festival.
The Council pleaded that a mini stadium should be constructed at each Local Government Areas Headquarters to improve sports activities in the area.
It then appreciated the players performance for winning 87 medals at various National Competitions while Athletes are to be considered in empowerment exercise whenever the government is empowering its citizens and be considered for employment.
The Council also appreciated the Ministry for its intention to restore Schools Sports within the state and
urged Coaches to extend scouting of Athletes at primary and Secondary schools at various Local Government Areas.
It pleaded with the Ministry to assign Leadership in all State Sports Association to strengthen Sports system and promote excellence just as it approved that the Ministry should submit a memorandum to the State Executive Council for the establishment of a Sports Academy in the State.
