The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Baraladei Daniel Igali says athletes and coaches in the Ministry who emerge overall best in the year 2021 would receive greater rewards.
Hon. Igali made this known during the Ministry of Youth and Sports Monthly Award programme held on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at the Sampson Siasia Multipurpose Hall, Ovom in Yenagoa.
He disclosed that part of his plans was to ensure that the winner of the Athlete of the Year 2021 Award receives a cash gift of about a million naira and advised the athletes and coaches to strive for excellence.
The Commissioner who stressed the importance of sponsorship from individuals and corporate bodies to spur athletes toward excellence, expressed his commitment to make the monthly award programme bigger and better.
Commissioner for Health, Mr. Pabara Newton Igwele, said the monthly programme was necessary as “all works and no play makes Jack a dull boy”.
He promised to boost the Best Athletes of the Year Award with Five Hundred Thousand Naira and Hundred Thousand Naira each for the Best Coach and Best Athlete Awards in August.
Speaking also, Commissioner for Special Projects, Mr. Ekisah Abraham Sinkumo noted that the monthly award progarmme is morale booster and urged staff to support the commissioner and management in order to achieve set goals.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters and former Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Collins Cocodia, said the programme was worth sustaining as it could enhance the performance athletes and coaches, while congratulating the awardees and celebrants of the month.
In the separate Goodwill messages, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Tony Emefile and Master of Ceremony to the Governor, Mr. Ebi Ivy expressed confidence in the Commissioner to move the Ministry to greater heights and encouraged staff to support him.
They expressed their willingness to support the Commissioner and the programme in their various capacities.
Preye Okorodas (Scrabble) won the Coach of the Month Award while Korumieyefa Philip (Kokowa) bagged the Athlete of the Month Award.
Highlight of the event include, presentation plagues and cash gifts to awardees as well as cutting of the birthday.
Other dignitaries present were, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Iti Orugbani, the Director General, Bayelsa Centre for Youth Development, Manager in the Agip Oil Company, Mr. Felix Mangiri, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Entertainment, Mr. Douye Asu among others.
