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By Our correspondent in Minna.
Mohammed Umaru Bago.
Niger State Governor.
(C) Google.
The Niger State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Yahaya Ibrahim Gulbin-Boka, has called on sports associations across the state to collaborate more closely with the state government to boost grassroots talent development and prepare athletes for national competitions.
Gulbin-Boka made the appeal during a strategic meeting with chairmen and secretaries of various sports associations held at the Abdulsalami Abubakar Youth Centre in Minna on Thursday.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Nuhu Garba Ngaski, the Commissioner emphasized the importance of proper management of sports infrastructure, particularly the new Ahmadu Bahago Sports Complex along Bosso Road, which he said is 90% complete.
“The multi-million-naira sports complex is designed to provide a professional training environment that will enable our athletes to compete favorably with their peers from other states and countries,” he said.
He commended Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for prioritizing sports development, adding that the completion of the Ahmadu Bahago Sports Complex is part of a broader plan to position Niger State as a force on the national sporting stage.
The meeting also served as a platform to discuss challenges ahead of the upcoming National Sports Festival in Ogun State, with the ministry reaffirming its commitment to supporting athletes and associations.
“Our vision is to create an environment that not only supports athletes but also empowers them to excel at local, national, and international levels. We call on all associations to join hands with us to move sports forward,” Gulbin-Boka said.
While appreciating the efforts of associations in nurturing sports talents, the Commissioner stressed the need for regular maintenance and accessibility of sports facilities.
In response, some association leaders voiced concerns over restricted access to training facilities and called on the ministry to ensure the Ahmadu Bahago Complex remains open and available for use.
The meeting resolved to foster stronger partnerships between the ministry and sports bodies for improved athlete performance and sports development in Niger State.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
