The Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Ayibaina Duba has sent his warm congratulations to the states contingents at the just concluded National Sports Festival held in Benin, Edo State for coming third with 169 medals; 56 Gold, 55 Silver and 58 Bronze at the competitions.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, Hon. Duba commended the sportsmen and women for their dedication, commitment, high sense of professionalism and devotion to excellence which culminated into the record breaking performance.
The Information Commissioner averred that the high-class performance of the contingents who flew the Bayelsa flag is symbolic of what Bayelsa people can achieve when everyone does his bit of the work at individual stations with a single-minded devotion to the good of the state and its people.
According to him, “there is no doubt that the success recorded by the athletes was made possible by Government’s commitment to investing in things that will bring honour to the state.”
Hon Duba said the teams performance cannot be divorced from the timely release of funds required for preparation and participation of the athletes well ahead of time by the authorities.
In his words, “in efforts at motivating athletes, the state government also cleared inherited outstanding allowances and bonuses. It is pleasing and gratifying that government’s investment and commitment to sports development is yielding positive results.”
He recalled that the last time the state made a strong appearance at the National Sports Festival was when His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri was commissioner for Youths and Sports Development in the state.
“One can say with every degree of confidence that Bayelsa is on for a great deal of development and progress under Senator Douye Diri’s leadership and that prosperity of the state is sure with the administration,” the statement added.
He encouraged the citizenry to continue to support the administration and play their roles in efforts to sustain the states movement towards prosperity.
