Ahead of the forthcoming Delta State Local Governments Sports Festival, a programme of the Delta State Chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon Itiako Constantine Ikpokpo, Chairman Delta ALGON, Chairman of Isoko South LGA and Chairman of the Festival Organising Committee, has unfolded the program activities scheduled for a week time.
Ikpokpo, in company of his counterpart in Ughelli North LGA Hon Godwin Adode and Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee, Harrison Ocholor, Project Consultant and Festival Director of Operations, Mr Fred Edoreh, Chairman, Festival Media and Publicity Sub Committee, Mrs Alero Awana, Coordinator, Ughelli Zone, UBA PLC representatives, Mr Abel Onyechulam and Gabriel Odigie, unfolded the program activities today, at ALGON House in Asaba while briefing pressmen on what it entails and benefits.
According to him “the opening and closing ceremonies are scheduled for January 14 and 19 at the Stephen Okechukwu Keshi Stadium, Asaba, while the main Competitions will hold at the Ozoro Polytechnic Stadium from January 15 to 18. And the event will feature competitions for male and female categories in non-contact athletics sports including 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500 metres; 4×100, 4×400 metres and mixed relays; high jump, long jump, triple jump, discus, shot put and javelin in men and women categories”.
“The Local Government Area is the bedrock for the discovery of sport talents that would make the State and the Nation proud in national and international events in the future.
“Sports is a veritable tool to enhancing the economic well being of the people as well as engendering peace in the society. To this end, the members of the Delta State Chapter of ALGON decided to engage the youth in sports in a bid to promote peace across the State as well as give them an opportunity to become better citizens in the society”. He noted.
The ALGON Chairman noted that the Delta State Local Government Sports Festival which was the first of its kind in Nigeria was a legacy the Local Chairmen were willing to bequeath the State as well as supporting the giant strides already being taken by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in the development of sports in the State.
While disclosing that the athletes discovered from the festival would be handed over to the State Sports Commission for further grooming and exposure to the National and International stage, Ikpokpo stated that the sports fiesta was also aimed at giving those who did not have the opportunity to be discovered at a younger age to be exposed to the State and National stage.
Also revealing that Delta State Government is the only State that employs and sustain athletes as civil servants, Ikpokpo charged all stakeholders to monitor and identify talented athletes for higher sports competitions.
“They are at the starting block. Someday, you might see some of them on the podium at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, World or African Championships if well nurtured”. The Delta State ALGON Chairman noted
Ikpokpo, who disclosed that the Sports Festival will be a biannual event, thanked the Delta State Government, UBA PLC and Levant Construction for sponsoring the program
The Vice Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee and Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government, Chief Godwin Adode said the festival which is a biennial event would be sustained as ALGON was committed to discovering young talents as well asgiving them a platform to excel.
Also speaking the Consultant of the Local Government Sports FestivalMr Harrison Ochulor revealed that the games would feature athletics with non-contact sports being selected in line with the COVID-19 Protocols but assured that more events would be included in the future.